Weather

Dry air is expected to extend Thursday from the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes to the Middle Atlantic and southern New England as a storm moves east out of Maine. Clouds and showers will linger in northern New England as the system departs.

Most areas from the Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas can expect very warm and humid conditions. Thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms will stretch from parts of the Dakotas to eastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, Iowa and Minnesota. The storms will arrive with a surge of warm and humid air and may bring damaging gusts, hail and flash flooding. Showers and thunderstorms are in store over the northern Rockies, where cooler air will prevail.

Much of the central and southern Plains can expect a respite from severe thunderstorms. Dry weather and sunshine will extend from California to central Kansas, Oklahoma and much of Texas. The risk of wildfire ignition and spread will continue over the Southwest, because of hot and dry conditions in the afternoon.

FOCUS: Heat In the Northeast Early Next Week

Less humid air will sweep into the Northeast on Thursday and persist into Friday. Warmth and humidity will build this weekend, with hotter conditions on Monday. Highs in the 90s are expected across the Interstate 95 corridor, with high humidity making it feel even hotter.