The Nation's Weather 07.15.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

A line of showers and thunderstorms extended across the upper Midwest and Northern Plains early Tuesday, while a wet day dawned for Florida and the Gulf Coast.

The storms in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest have the potential to be severe, producing heavy rain, strong winds and frequent lighting.

The Southern Plains should see thunderstorms associated with lingering low pressure across the area, while the Central Plains will see mostly clear skies due to high pressure. Temperatures across the Plains will be in the 80s to near 100.

The Northeast can expect mostly clear skies and mild conditions due to a high pressure system extending from the Central Plains up through to New England. Temperatures should range from the 70s in New England to the upper 80s in parts of the mid-Atlantic.

In the Southeast, Florida and a few coastal areas can expect some showers and thunderstorms due to lingering low pressure. The rest of the Southeast will remain mostly clear. Temperatures will be in the 80s and 90s.

The Southwest will see seasonable showers and thunderstorms, mostly in the Four Corners region. These storms will produce downpours, along with gusty winds and frequent lighting. Temperatures will reach the 80s and 90s, with a few 100s in the desert areas.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Monday ranged from a low of 33 degrees at Stanley, Idaho, to a high of 102 degrees at Austin, Texas.