Heavy rain will bring a flood threat to the central Gulf Coast today. Heat builds in the Northwest, with cooler-than-average temperatures lingering from the central Plains to the Northeast. The Breakfast Brief is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The WeatherRadar shows scattered showers and storms across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country. Gulf moisture will bring 1-3 inches of rain to the central Gulf Coast, increasing the risk of flash flooding. Cities like New Orleans, Jackson, Miss., Mobile, Ala., and Tallahassee, Fla., should be alert to possible flooding in downpours.

Isolated strong storms are also possible from New Mexico to Georgia this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds and hail are possible. Make sure your Weather & Radar app alerts are on.

The TemperatureRadar shows cooler-than-average temperatures across the southern and central Plains into the Northeast and Mid-South. Warmer-than-average temperatures are forecast for much of the western half of the country.

Conditions will be comfortable along I-95, with highs in New York, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia reaching the 70s. Cooler-than-average highs are expected in Oklahoma City and Kansas City, Mo., where highs will make it to the upper 60s.

While the coast remains cool, the interior West will continue to heat up. Phoenix will once again reach the triple-digits, while Salt Lake City nears a high of 90, and Boise, Idaho, reaches the mid-90s.

When severe weather is in your forecast, you can be prepared. Follow along with these tools to stay weather-aware.