Tropical Storm Philippe, which has been soaking parts of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is expected to accelerate northward and reach either Maine or the Canadian Maritimes during the weekend.  Philippe will be effectively absorbed by an approaching low-pressure system and its attendant cold front, potentially increasing the areal coverage of heavy rainfall and high winds across the northeastern U.S.   Prior to reaching New England, the cold front will continue to produce showers across the South, East, and lower Midwest, with additional rainfall reaching 1 to 2 inches or more from the lower Great Lakes region to Texas. 

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