Intensely hot weather across the south-central U.S. will persist for the remainder of the week, with spotty thundershowers providing only fleeting relief.  During the weekend, temperatures near 110°F should extend as far north as Midland, Texas, with readings near the 100-degree mark possibly reaching the middle Mississippi Valley.  In contrast, below-normal temperatures will continue across the northern High Plains and much of the West, despite a gradual warming trend.  Little or no precipitation will fall for the remainder of the week west of the Rockies, but 5-day rainfall totals could reach 1 to 4 inches across the northwestern half of the Plains, extending into the far upper Midwest. 

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