A few areas of thunderstorms developed across the nation on Thursday.
A frontal boundary extended from the Northeast, down the Ohio River Valley, and into the Southern Plains. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico fed energy into this system, which allowed for showers and thunderstorms to develop.
Heavy rains and strong thunderstorms developed in parts of Oklahoma and Texas, while lighter and more widespread showers and thunderstorms spread across the Mid-Mississippi River Valley and into the Northeast.
There was a slight chance of severe weather development in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as parts of the Virginias and Maryland. Heaviest rainfall was reported at Fort Sill, Okla., with a midday total of 2.67 inches of rain.
South of this front, warm and humid conditions persisted for the Southeast and Gulf states, with highs ranging in the 90s across the region. North of the front, cooler and dry conditions prevailed for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
Meanwhile to the west, a trough of low pressure moved eastward off the Rockies and into the Central Plains. This created widespread shower and thunderstorm activity through the Central and Northern High Plains.
Severe weather was not anticipated in these areas and rainfall totals remained less than a half of an inch.
THURSDAY'S WEATHER EXTREMES:
HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F).........................93 Blythe, Calif.
HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F)..........................102 Tampa Macdill AFB, Fla.
LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..........................23 Hibbing, Minn.
LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...........................6 Mt. Washington, N.H.
HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).................................61 Sandberg, Calif.
HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)..........................2.67 Fort Sill, Okla.
ON THIS DATE....... The weather at the base of Mount Washington in New Hampshire today in 1987 was sunny with temperatures in the 70's. By contrast, the top of the mountain was experiencing a temperature of 13 degrees, while receiving 4.7 inches of new snow.