Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 414 PM EDT Mon Apr 28 2014 Valid 00Z Tue Apr 29 2014 - 00Z Thu May 01 2014 ***Dangerous severe weather outbreak early this week*** ***Heavy rainfall for the Eastern U.S. through Wednesday*** ***Turning cooler behind the cold front*** Some of the most active weather so far this season is now in progress across the Deep South this afternoon. As of Monday afternoon, the Storm Prediction Center is indicating a high risk of severe weather over parts of Mississippi and Alabama, where a tornado outbreak is expected to occur! Numerous severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across the Deep South through Tuesday afternoon with a very slow-moving and dynamic spring storm system, and this activity will likely reach the Southeast Coast by Wednesday. These storms are feeding off very warm and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico in a highly sheared environment. Farther to the north across the Midwest states, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic region, periods of heavy rainfall will be making weather headlines. A broad band of over-running rainfall north of a slow moving warm front is expected to bring copious amounts of rain to these areas through the end of the week. Flash flood watches have been issued by many of the local NWS forecast forecasts for the possibility of flooding as multiple rounds of heavy rain affect the same areas. Numerous thunderstorms will also be possible in these areas, but the worst weather is expected farther to the south across the southeastern states. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., a fresh surge of cooler and drier weather will be enjoyed by many residents across the southern and central Plains with the cold front passing to the east. This quality airmass will eventually reach the Deep South and Ohio Valley by later in the week after the bad weather departs with the cold front. Over the Rockies, expect isolated to scattered snow showers at times over the higher elevations. Dry and pleasant weather is expected to continue for the West Coast as high pressure remains in charge. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php