Lingering Midwestern showers and thunderstorms should end later Friday, followed by a protracted period of cooler, drier weather.  Although scattered Midwestern showers are forecast to return early next week, many areas may remain dry. 

In contrast, heavy showers will shift into the Southeast, where 5-day rainfall totals could reach 2 to 4 inches or more, especially from the Gulf Coast (southeastern Louisiana to western Florida) to the coastal Carolinas. 

Meanwhile, heat in the southcentral U.S.

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