A cold front inching toward the East Coast will remain the focus for afternoon and evening thunderstorms, leading to 5-day rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches or more in the middle and northern Atlantic States.  Meanwhile, a new disturbance arriving across the nation’s mid-section will generate a few showers, starting on Friday or during the weekend.  Although most areas will receive only light rain, totals could reach 1 to 2 inches or more on the central and southern Plains. 

…