Daily briefing: Calif. downpours continue

The Southwest, parts of California and the central Plains will have to deal with a soggy end to the work week. This, and our tropical update, are available at 5 a.m. ET in our daily briefing.

Waves of downpours and thunderstorms will continue to sweep across the Southwest, southern and central California, the Sierras and the Great Basin today. Umbrellas will be the accessory of choice for Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco, especially during this morning's commute.

A different autumn storm, which has been lingering across the Central and northern Plains for much of the week will slowly slide to the north. The WeatherRadar shows rain sweeping in the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes. The southern fringe of the system sweeping across the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley will trigger a line of thunderstorms.

The rest of the U.S. will have a sun-filled and hot end to the work week. Highs will be in the 90s from Texas to Florida, including the South and Southeast. These hot temperatures will also be found up the Mississippi Valley into the Midwest.

The TemperatureRadar shows cooler 70s across the Northeast, northern Plains, Mountain West and the Northwest.

The tropics are trying to perk up. Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic. This system will turn to the northwest away from the Greater Antilles as it slowly strengthens. It will remain far from land through the weekend into early next week.

A second tropical wave coming off western Africa could become better organized over the next several days. This will be far from land for the next several days.

Although it has been quiet recently, the Atlantic Hurricane Season peaks in September, and you will want to be ready. Learn more about how our hurricane alerts work here.