The cold front currently traversing the West will move farther inland and weaken, but at least three additional fronts will arrive along the Pacific Coast during the next 5 days.  Accordingly, 5-day precipitation totals could reach 5 to 10 inches or more in northern and central California, with lighter amounts expected in other areas of the western U.S.  In contrast, dry weather will prevail into early next week across the Plains.  During the weekend, rain will return across portions of the South and lower Midwest, with heavier showers (locally 1 to 2 inches or more) possible from the western Gulf Coast region to the Mississippi Delta. 

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