Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 PM EDT Thu Sep 05 2013 Valid 00Z Fri Sep 06 2013 - 00Z Sun Sep 08 2013 ***Warmth holds over Southwest and Center of Nation*** ***Upper low brings possibility of heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest*** ***Fair skies and cooler drier air cover the Eastern US*** A large upper ridge will prevail over the center of the nation through the short term forecast period with continued warm to hot conditions from the Desert Southwest and central and southern Rockies across the Plains states. A slow moving upper low will lumber across the Pacific Northwest spreading scattered showers and thunderstorms over the Northwest into northern Nevada/Idaho and western Montana through tonight...as well as the chance of severe weather. As the low makes its way eastward...cooler air and possibly more widespread rainfall will continue across the region with the possibility of localized flooding with some of the more heavier rainfall amounts later today into Friday. Over the Southeast US...a weak stationary front will dissipate by Friday with scattered showers and thunderstorms over portions of the Gulf and Southeast coasts...as well as Florida. Meanwhile...a mostly dry cold front currently over the Ohio Valley and northern Middle Atlantic states will continue to drop southward across the eastern United States with some early season frost and freeze warnings over northern PA/northern NY and northern New England overnight. Cooler temperatures and drier air will continue to move across the Tennessee Valley into the South Atlantic states providing mostly clear skies and comfortable conditions for the next few days. Kocin Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php