 TORRENTIAL RAIN CAUSED EXTENSIVE FLOODING IN NORTHERN ITALY. SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE FORECAST FOR THE NORTHEAST AMID ATLANTIC STATES TODAY AMID SEARING HEAT. EARLY IN THE COMING WEEK, A FRESH HEAT WAVE IS FORECAST FOR CALIFORNIA, THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN STATES, ENDING IN THE EAST BY THE FOURTH OF JULY. I'M LOUISE SCIAVONE, NPR NEWS, WASHINGTON.