A storm was expected to move across the Mississippi Valley and along the Appalachian Mountains on Thursday, bringing rain and thunderstorms through the Southeast and lower half of the Mississippi Valley.

There was a slight chance of severe weather from eastern Texas through Alabama.

Rain was expected in the Northeast in the morning, and was to diminish in the afternoon. But southern New England was to see more rain overnight into Friday morning.

Out West, a very warm day was expected from the Northwest through the Southwest.

Temperatures were expected to be in the 60s and 70s in the Northeast; 70s, 80s and 90s in the Southeast; 80s in the Northwest; and 80s, 90s and some 100s in California and the Southwest.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of 22 degrees at Shirley Basin, Wyo., to a high of 106 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.

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On the Net:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com