The finale to the "unofficial" start of summer will be just that -- summer-like east of the Mississippi River. Beryl will weaken into a depression across the Southeast; while to its west, high heat and humidity spawning multiple clusters of strong to potentially severe thunderstorms. Meanwhile, the Western U.S. will be mainly quiet.

WeatherBug Meteorologist Todd Nelson has the latest in this exclusive WeatherBug National Outlook Video.

Beryl will rapidly weaken throughout the day. However, it will bring tropical downpours, easing the drought intensification for residents from Florida to central South Carolina. The bad news is it will ruin those outdoor barbecues and parties, with dangerous surf, battering waves and strong rip currents likely keeping beach-goers out of the warm water.

Summer-like thunderstorms will again be on the weather menu across large stretches of the central and eastern U.S. Though it won`t be a washout for all, the most volatile weather will unfold from the Texas Panhandle to Michigan`s Upper Peninsula. Here, powerful thunderstorms will steamroll throughout the east-central Plains and Midwest, bringing high winds and large hail. Even the high peaks of the Appalachian Spine, Carolinas and southern New England will see a rash of thunderstorms, though they will remain below severe limits.

The only other weather hiccup will be found along the U.S. Northern Tier from the Northwest to North Dakota. Stubborn low pressure just refuses to relinquish its grip throughout this long holiday weekend, with more nuisance showers and even a thunderstorm or two possible.

The rest of the Western U.S. from the Golden State beaches to the central and southern Rockies will enjoy quiet weather today.

It will be a tale of two seasons across the U.S. temperature-wise. Widespread stifling 80s and 90s will cover large stretches of the U.S. from the Desert Southwest all the way to interior southern New England. In polar opposites, early spring-like 50s and 60s will rule the Rocky Front Range, Northern Plains and along the Interstate 5 corridor between the Northwest and northern California.

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