A Western hot spell will abruptly end during the weekend.

Meanwhile, near- or above-normal temperatures will develop or continue across much of the central and eastern U.S. Relative to normal, the warmest weather will affect the Great Lakes region. In addition, temperatures by early next week will routinely approach, reach, or exceed the 100-degree mark across drought-affected sections of the central and southern High Plains.

During the next couple of days, a cold front will spark widespread showers and thunderstorms across the Midwest.

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