Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 344 AM EDT Wed May 14 2014 Valid 12Z Wed May 14 2014 - 12Z Fri May 16 2014 ***Rain and thunderstorms for the Eastern U.S.*** ***Great weather for the Plains and Midwest*** ***Hot and dry weather for the West Coast this week*** A strong and dynamic spring storm system over the eastern U.S. will be the main weather story across the country through the end of the work week. A strong cold front moving slowly to the east will intersect a warm and increasingly humid airmass from the Gulf of Mexico, and deep moisture convergence ahead of this boundary is expected to result in widespread heavy rain from the Gulf Coast to Upstate New York by Friday morning. Although the severe potential has decreased from a couple days ago, there will still be a few strong to locally severe thunderstorms ahead of this system. The main threat will be flooding as heavy rain falls over relatively short periods of time. Over the Upper Midwest and Great Plains, a quality air mass will be enjoyed in the wake of the departing storm system over the Eastern U.S. Pleasantly cool temperatures by mid-May standards and low humidity will make it comfortable for outside activities. A few isolated showers are possible from Montana to Colorado over the front range of the Rockies, but it will not be enough to ruin any outdoor plans. For the West Coast, hot temperatures will continue to be in the forecast through Thursday. A big surface high over the Inter-Mountain West will allow for down-sloping and offshore flow in the lower atmosphere 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. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php