Tropical Storm Karl, centered over the Gulf of Mexico, has begun to drift southward and poses no threat to the United States.  Meanwhile, a cold front sweeping across the eastern U.S. will produce showers and locally severe thunderstorms, with rain lingering into Friday across the Northeast.  Subsequently, dry weather will prevail nearly nationwide, although rain will return during the weekend and early next week across the southwestern and south-central U.S.  Five-day rainfall could total 1 to 2 inches or more in parts of New Mexico and Texas. 

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