This summer's trend of heat will likely continue into August.  That's according to the latest monthly outlook issued Thursday from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center. Warmer than normal temperatures are predicted across the western, northern and eastern sections of the nation. Colder than normal temperatures are forecast for a small area centered near the Arklatex southward to the Gulf of Mexico coast. Odds favor wetter than normal conditions from the Appalachians to the Tennessee Valley southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Below normal precipitation is expected in the Northwest and northern High Plains, where drought conditions are already in place. Model guidance, statistical tools, soil moisture conditions and potential tropical influences were the main factors in making the August forecast. You can read more details on the making of the outlook at this link from the Climate Prediction Center.