Weather

Widespread rains ahead for the Great Plains, Corn Belt

In the wake of a departing storm system, cool weather will prevail in the East through mid-week.

Meanwhile, precipitation will overspread a broad area of the country, mainly stretching from northern California and the Pacific Northwest eastward across the central Plains and the lower Great Lakes region. Of greatest concern will be rain, locally totaling 1 to 2 inches, across previously flooded areas of the western Corn Belt on March 28-29.

Late in the week, cold weather will return across the nation’s mid-section, slowing the Northern rate of melting snow.

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for near- or below-normal temperatures in most areas east of the Rockies, while warmer-than-normal weather should prevail in the West.

Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation will cover the country, with the greatest likelihood of wet conditions expected in southern Texas and along the northern and middle Atlantic Coast.