The Nation's Weather 07.08.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

A cold front was moving southward over the upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes regions early Tuesday, triggering severe storms including heavy rain, strong winds, hail and possible tornadoes.

Storms associated with this front could extend into the central and southern Plains and flooding will be of concern in these areas. Southern Texas was to be rainy.

The humid Northeast will continue to see widespread showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday. The most likely storm areas are the Appalachians, the Carolinas and Florida.

To the South, afternoon thunderstorms will continue across the Gulf states as high pressure hovers over the Atlantic, pulling in warm, moist air from the Gulf and allowing for showers and thunderstorm to develop.

In the Pacific Northwest, clear skies and warm temperatures will continue as high pressure builds across the region. Expect temperatures to approach the 90s in many areas.

The Southwest will remain hot with monsoon-like storms in desert areas. Gusty winds, intense downpours, and small hail are likely and will cause flooding issues. Many areas of California remain under an excessive heat watch on Tuesday. Expect temperatures to increase into the 100s again.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Monday ranged from a low of 33 degrees at Berthoud Pass, Colo., to a high of 107 degrees at Red Bluff, Calif.