A Western heat wave should peak in coverage and intensity late in the weekend or early next week.  Meanwhile, the northern and central Plains and the Midwest will experience a reprieve from hot conditions.  Significantly above-normal temperatures will linger, however, across the Deep South.  Even with subtly shifting weather patterns, meaningful rain will be scarce during the next 5 days.  In fact, completely dry weather should prevail in much of California and the Northwest.  Only spotty showers will occur across the northern High Plains, southeastern Plains, mid-South, and lower Midwest. 

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