Weather

Sunshine, seasonable temperatures and low humidity are in store Thursday for much of the Northeast, the eastern Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley. Dry air from Canada will fail to extend very far into the South, which will remain hot and humid. Showers are expected, along with scattered strong thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening.

Seas and surf should gradually ease as Hurricane Chris moves quickly away from the coast near Newfoundland. Still, dangerous rip currents may continue along the beaches from North Carolina to Maine. Tropical Storm Beryl may gain strength north of the Bahamas to end the week. If it does, surf could build to dangerous levels along parts of the East Coast.

Severe thunderstorms are in store for parts of the Upper Midwest. Warm and humid air will give way to cooler and less humid air. Some of the storms may produce strong gusts.

As heat builds across coastal areas of Washington and Oregon, more heavy, gusty thunderstorms are in the forecast for the interior Southwest. Some of the storms may cause isolated flash flooding along with light rain and frequent lightning strikes. Dry lightning could result in wildfires.

FOCUS: More Storms for the North-Central States

Another round of severe thunderstorms is expected to develop from southeastern South Dakota to central Wisconsin in the afternoon and evening. The strongest storms could produce damaging winds, frequent lightning and downpours.