Author: Doyle Rice and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY

After baking the Southwest, the intense summer heat will finally make an appearance across much of the Midwest and Northeast over the next few days.

Blistering, dangerous summer-like heat has been the main weather story across the south-central U.S. over the past few days. Latest updates.

Nicole pounded Florida on Thursday as the system, downgraded to a tropical storm, moved inland with powerful winds and heavy rain.  Updates.