Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 454 PM EDT Fri May 22 2015 Valid 00Z Sat May 23 2015 - 00Z Mon May 25 2015 ***High quality airmass over the eastern U.S. this weekend*** ***Heavy rain and stormy weather continues for southern Plains*** ***Scattered showers and storms over the western U.S.*** The cool and refreshing temperatures are expected to continue on Saturday across much of the eastern U.S. A reinforcing cold front arriving from Canada will bring a brief period of cool weather and low humidity from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast, making it very pleasant for outdoor activities. By Sunday, temperatures will begin warming up as the surface high begins moving offshore and southerly flow returns. Uncomfortably warm weather returns to the East Coast region by early next week. Over Texas and Oklahoma, more bad weather is expected during the short-term forecast period with multiple rounds of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. Deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will continue flowing northward around the backside of the surface high to the east. Flooding remains a serious concern for these areas given already saturated ground and rivers overflowing their banks. Several inches of rainfall is a good possibility and flash flood watches are already in effect. For the western U.S., the presence of the upper level trough will allow for the development of scattered showers and storms from inland portions of California to the front range of the Rockies. Snow is likely for the highest mountain ranges, especially during the overnight periods. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php