 Furthermore, the heat wave will even expand into parts of the high plains that have been largely left out of the extreme conditions of late, with western portions of the Dakotas and Nebraska in line for highs nearing the triple digits as well under sunshine. For the rest of the nation, thunderstorms will again fire up near and along the Gulf Coast and northward along parts of the southeast and mid-Atlantic coast as well, with a hot but rain-free Thursday from the interior southeast