Severe storms will affect the Midwest and the Plains today as a potent cold front advances. Meanwhile, the South and East will remain stormy to end the holiday weekend.

The Severe Weather Center reports that the Upper Peninsula of Michigan through southern Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska will be affected by strong and severe storms as the powerful front approaches. Parts of southeastern Montana and eastern Wyoming will also be under fire with the front stalling over this area.

The clash of much cooler air blasting the Canadian Prairies and heat surging toward the Midwest will provide enough energy for storms with flooding downpours, large hail, strong winds and even an isolated tornado.

Damaging thunderstorms were already triggered ahead of this system on Saturday, especially across Nebraska. Over four inches of rain fell with storms that affected parts of Nebraska early on Saturday morning. Storms dropped 6.48 inches of rain near Friend, Neb., and 5.75 inches of rain near Waco, Neb.

With additional heavy and strong storms expected over Nebraska, new flash flooding could occur and existent flooding exacerbated. The Severe Weather center will have an up-to-date list of flood- and storm-related watches and warnings.

Another area that AccuWeather.com Meteorologists are monitoring for potential flooding is the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. An upper-level low set up over northern Mexico continues to draw tropical moisture from the western Gulf of Mexico.

The southern tip of Texas will have heavy rain and thunderstorms again today and even into the week. The heaviest rain will once again develop during the afternoon.

Brownsville, Texas, had already been inundated by 3.34 inches of rain as of 1 a.m. CDT Sunday over the previous 48 hours. This more than doubles the total rainfall from this May and June combined and nearly doubles the normal July rainfall for the town.

The following is a list of 48-hour rainfall totals ending at 1 a.m. CDT Sunday:

• Port Isabel, Texas: 3.33 inches
• Weslaco, Texas: 2.93 inches
• Harlingen, Texas: 2.60 inches

Meanwhile, the Gulf states to southern New England will continue to have some scattered storms today. High pressure anchored over the western Atlantic will draw a sultry flow up the Eastern Seaboard that will provide plenty of fuel for locally drenching storms.

The most numerous storms will be up and down the East Coast. No widespread severe weather is expected with these storms, but some could produce locally gusty winds and some hail.

The stormy weather could impact those traveling home from the holiday weekend. Some large cities that could be dealing with storm-related delays today include: Minneapolis, Omaha, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York City. The FAA Flight Delay map will keep travelers informed of these travel troubles as they unfold.

According to the West Regional News story, drier weather and plenty of sunshine is in store for the Southwest today. A heat wave will build over the West through the middle of the week and will cause a high fire threat.

Looking to the tropics, the Atlantic has sprung to life this past week. Bertha formed off the coast of Africa and has now made it halfway between Africa and the Leeward Islands. According to the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, the storm will be steered to the west through the middle of the week. As it passes over warmer water, the potential will exist for strengthening.