During the next several days, hot weather will remain centered over the south-central and southwestern U.S., while cool conditions will prevail from northern sections of the Rockies and Plains into the upper Midwest.  That temperature gradient will help to focus heavy rainfall (locally 2 to 4 inches or more) in a relatively narrow belt from the northern Plains into the Southeast, including portions of the middle Mississippi Valley.  During the weekend, showers will push northward into other areas of the Midwest.  In contrast, mostly dry weather will persist across the hottest areas of the South, including the southern Plains and western Gulf Coast region.  Dry weather will also cover the Far West. 

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