Portland, ME

Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, May 22, 2012.

Tropical Storm Alberto is expected to weaken to tropical depression strength on Tuesday as it accelerates northeastward through the western Atlantic Ocean. This system is expected to continue on a northeastward track through Wednesday and dissipate by Thursday. For more information on Tropical Storm Alberto and other tropical activity, please visit http://www.wunderground.com/tropical.

Meanwhile, a cold front pushing across the Eastern Valleys will reach the Eastern Seaboard with more unsettled weather activity. The front will stir up scattered showers and thunderstorms from portions of the Lower Great Lakes and Northeast southward into the Southeast and Central Gulf Coast states through the day. Areas along the Gulf Coast and across much of Florida and Texas will remain hot on Tuesday as daytime highs reach into the upper 80s and 90s.

To the west of this activity, a cold front will cross the Northwest, bringing rain showers with afternoon and evening thunderstorms to parts of the Northern Intermountain West and Northern Rockies. This frontal system will merge with another disturbance dropping out of southern Canada as it progresses eastward. Expect thunderstorm activity to spread into the Northern Plains ahead of this system. Storms in this region may turn severe with very large hail and damaging wind gusts. Meanwhile, a stronger front from the Pacific will reach the Pacific Northwest with a cooler airmass and precipitation.

Elsewhere in the West, temperatures across the Desert Southwest will climb into the 100 to near 110 degree range on Tuesday.