Hot weather will continue in much of the West into the weekend, followed by a marked cooling trend. Meanwhile, most of the central and eastern U.S. will experience a continuation, or gradual return, of near- or above-normal temperatures.

During the next couple of days, showery weather across the South could lead to 1- to 3-inch rainfall totals from coastal Texas to Georgia and parts of the Carolinas. Late in the week, a cold front crossing the North could result in scattered 1- to 2-inch amounts from the northern Plains into the Northeast.

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