Weather

Slightly cooler and less humid air will settle in Wednesday across the Northeast. Temperatures will be 5 to 8 degrees lower than Tuesday’s highs. The storm system ushering the cooler air south is expected to push Hurricane Chris away from the United States. Rough surf and seas will continue in the Carolinas and spread north into Thursday.

Drenching storms are expected over the lower Mississippi Valley, with spotty storms from the southern Appalachians to the Virginia capes. It will be hot and humid.

Much of the Plains can expect hot and humid conditions, with few or no storms. Still, several storms are projected from the eastern part of the Dakotas to Minnesota.

In the Southwest, a south breeze will continue to usher in moisture from Mexico, as part of the weather pattern known as the North American monsoon. Thunderstorms will be scattered across much of the region. Some of the storms may bring flash flooding, while others will produce little rain, blowing dust and an increased risk of wildfires. No storms are expected from Northern California to Idaho and Washington, where heat will build into the end of the week.

FOCUS: Strong Thunderstorms Late Wednesday

The leading edge of a cooler and drier air mass is expected to bring thunderstorms from Minnesota to eastern South Dakota on Wednesday through early Wednesday evening. The storms may turn severe, with damaging winds over northern and central Minnesota.