Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Mon Sep 2 2013 Valid 12Z Mon Sep 2 2013 - 12Z Wed Sep 4 2013 ***Widespread rain threat increases for the Northeast*** ***Scattered showers and storms for the Western U.S.*** The main weather-maker for the beginning of the week will be a relatively strong cold front currently moving through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Showers and thunderstorms will precede and accompany its arrival into the Northeast U.S. for Monday and early Tuesday. A refreshing airmass with considerably cooler temperatures and lower humidity can be expected after the frontal passage. Scattered showers and storms will be possible across the Southeast for the first half of the week with the front gradually stalling out near the Gulf Coast. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., scattered showers and storms can be expected for the Desert Southwest and into the Inter-Mountain West with lingering monsoonal moisture in place. Localized heavy rainfall will be possible, along with isolated flooding issues. A few showers should approach the Pacific Northwest coast with a frontal system offshore. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php