Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 340 AM EDT Tue May 13 2014 Valid 12Z Tue May 13 2014 - 12Z Thu May 15 2014 ***Stormy weather from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley*** ***Hot and dry weather for the West Coast this week*** A strong and dynamic spring storm system over the central U.S. will be the main weather story across the country through the middle of the work week. A strong cold front moving slowly to the east will intersect a warm and very humid airmass from the Gulf of Mexico, and deep moisture convergence ahead of this boundary is expected to result in widespread heavy rain over eastern Texas and extending northeastward to the Ohio Valley. Scattered severe thunderstorms are also likely from the western Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes region, with straight-line winds from squall lines being the main hazard with these storms. Over the Northeast U.S., a weak back-door cold front will keep cloud cover and scattered showers around through mid-week. South of this boundary, it will be hot and humid across the Southeast U.S. and Mid-Atlantic region on Tuesday and Wednesday with highs near 90 degrees expected. A more comfortable airmass will be enjoyed near the coast and extending into New England with more seasonal temperatures for mid May. For the West Coast, building heat will be in the forecast through the middle of the week. A big surface high settling in over the Inter-Mountain West will allow for down-sloping and offshore flow for much of California. The result will be sunny and hot weather, with highs reaching the 90s and even near 100 degrees, with perhaps a few record highs possible. Heat advisories are in effect for parts of California. The ongoing drought will continue, and the gusty winds will result in increased wildfire potential. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php