Daily briefing: Rainy focus shifts to Northwest

After a brief cooldown for some, summer heat continues spreading across the central third. Some signs of autumn will be found in the West as wet and snowy weather. This, along with our tropical update, is available at 5 a.m. ET in our daily briefing.

An extensive high-pressure system spreading across much of the eastern two-thirds is bringing both mostly quiet skies and above-average heat from the Front Range to the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Highs will make it as much as 15 degrees above normal for this time of year as far north as the Dakotas and the Upper Midwest.

A low-pressure trough will push an autumn storm into the West where rain and mountain snow continues, keeping umbrellas up and mountain pass travelers weather-aware. Snow will be found in the Sierras and higher elevations of the Cascades and northern Rockies.

Areas of heavy rain are possible from central Idaho to central Nevada where flash flooding could become an issue. Additionally, isolated thunderstorms are possible at the meeting point between the trough and the high-pressure ridge. Places like Butte, Mont., through Grand Junction and Durango, Colo., should monitor the WeatherRadar this afternoon and evening.

Pulling plentiful heat out of the southwest, the previously mentioned high-pressure circulation is sending highs in the mid-to-upper 80s and near 90 on Friday across the central third of the U.S. Some records could tumble from Wyoming to Wisconsin.

Much of the East Coast will stay in the autumn-like coolness in the 60s and 70s, similar to much of the West Coast, apart from the Southwest where summer heat remains, too.

A stationary front across Florida has kept a cluster of thunderstorms active, especially along the east Florida Coast. This has a low chance of development.

Another area of interest currently has a low chance of development in the central Atlantic. A tropical wave moving off the coast of northwest Africa could move into an area of prime conditions early next week. We'll continue to monitor.

If you are (or input a location) within 5 miles of the coast, you can see the marine conditions as well as the high and low tide times, here.