A sharp temperature gradient—featuring relatively cool weather across the northern Plains and Midwest contrasting with blazing heat from California to the southern Plains and the Gulf Coast States—will remain in place during the next several days, with only small changes in the pattern.  By week’s end, however, heat will subtly expand northeastward, with above-normal temperatures arriving across the northern Plains.  Pleasant temperatures will linger, however, in the Great Lakes and Northeastern States.  Meanwhile, rainfall will be scarce during the next 5 days in several areas, including much of Texas, the northern High Plains, and large sections of the West. 

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