Independence Weekend Weather Forecast

— -- Parts of the west will be sizzling while other will be dodging storms this July 4th weekend.

For most of the Midwest and Northeast, the weather is shaping up pretty nicely. Anywhere from Minneapolis and Chicago to New York and Boston can expect a good amount of sunshine with mild to warm temperatures for much of the weekend. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are on tap for the center of the country, stretching from Oklahoma to Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, parts of the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Ohio and Tennessee Valleys should be on the lookout for pop-up thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. It won't be a washout, but some of these storms could put a damper on outdoor activities like cookouts and firework displays. It's a good idea to keep an eye on the sky.

No surprise for July, the southeast will be hot and humid with temperatures in the 90s inland and mid to upper 80s along the beaches.

The Northern Plains should stay mostly dry, but the Central Plains to Rockies and desert Southwest are also be in the path for scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the afternoon hours. Again, these will be hit or miss. Dry lightning could also occur with some of these storms -- meaning lightning with little to no rain.

Out West, it will continue to bake, especially in the Pacific Northwest. The region has been dealing with a record-breaking heat wave since last weekend. Washington State, Oregon and Montana have seen some of the highest June temperatures on record soaring into the 100s and even 110s. Salt Lake City and Boise have had their hottest June on record. In Las Vegas, it's the longest stretch ever with temperatures of 105 degrees or higher. With no relief in sight, temperatures remains in the 90s and 100s with slightly cooler temperatures along the coast.

As a warning, people participating in firework displays out West will need to be extra cautious due to the dry conditions, wildfire threat and ongoing drought.

The good news is there are no major storm systems affecting any particular part of the country. But whether you are battling the heat out West or the scattered storms in the East, always stay updated on your local weather to be safe outdoors this holiday weekend.