Big weather changes will be in store for parts of the U.S. as the first full weekend of July comes to a close. The Northern Tier will finally cool down, while a strong cold front brings more potent storms to the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. More storms fire along the spine of the Rockies as the mercury continues to rise in the West.

WeatherBug Meteorologist Gretchen Mishek has the latest in her exclusive WeatherBug National Outlook.

Fierce thunderstorms will develop ahead of a strong cold front aiming to ease the intense heat in the Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley. Numerous strong storms will interrupt outdoor plans from Kentucky to the Delmarva Peninsula. Frequent lightning, damaging wind gusts and large hail will be possible from Louisville, Ky., to Philadelphia and south to Nashville, Tenn., and Raleigh, N.C. Cities like Cincinnati and Baltimore will also be under this risk for storms. Temperatures will soar well into the 90s to lower 100s before the arrival of the cold front.

The big weather changes across the Great Lakes and New England involve a refreshing one. Instead of sizzling heat, highs will return to the 70s and 80s with the full complement of early-July sunshine.

Thunderstorms will also be plentiful from the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast to the Tennessee Valley and Florida. However, the mercury will still surge into the uncomfortable 90s and triple-digits, with oppressive humidity as well.

The Rockies westward will continue to be hot. Triple-digit highs will be found across the Southwest, with 90s found throughout the Great Basin and Intermountain West. Highs will even soar into the 80s for Seattle and Portland, Ore. Afternoon thunderstorms will cool the Rockies and Great Basin while the immediate California coast sees a cooling sea breeze off the Pacific.

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