Weather

Showers and thunderstorms will extend along the edge of a cooler and less humid air mass Wednesday, from New England to the southern Atlantic and upper Gulf coasts. Some of the storms may be severe, with strong gusts, frequent lightning strikes and flash flooding. Clouds and showers are expected to linger over the Appalachians and the eastern Great Lakes. The influx of cool air marks the beginning of a change in the weather pattern that will lead to drier and hotter conditions for much of next week.

Most areas from the Mississippi Valley to Texas and the northern Plains can expect dry weather and sunshine. Steamy air will persist over much of Texas, while significantly lower humidity will prevail in much of the Midwest.

In the Southwest, a pocket of monsoon moisture will produce showers and thunderstorms over the Four Corners states. Some of the showers and storms are expected to extend east across the central Plains.

The rest of the West can expect fire weather to continue. Sunshine will boost temperatures in the afternoon. The Northwest will remain very dry. Cooler air will arrive by next week.

FOCUS: Hurricane Lane Threatens Hawaii

Hurricane Lane is expected to track very close to the Hawaiian Islands late this week, potentially bringing strong winds and heavy rain to the state. High surf may cause coastal flooding and beach erosion along south-facing shores.