Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 349 AM EDT Thu Jul 10 2014 Valid 12Z Thu Jul 10 2014 - 12Z Sat Jul 12 2014 ***Trough in the East and Ridge in the West*** ***Showers and thunderstorms expected for the Inter-Mountain West*** ***Cooler and drier weather from the Upper Midwest to the Northeast*** The upper-level pattern through the end of the week will feature a general trough across the eastern half of the U.S. while a ridge will remain in place over the West. A few weak shortwaves aloft are expected to pivot around the base of the broad upper level low over southern Canada during this time. At the surface, a high pressure ridge will build across the Midwest and eastward into the Northeast by the end of the week, and a second cold front is expected to enter the northern tier states by the weekend. Out West, the monsoonal flow will continue to provide moisture for scattered showers and thunderstorms across the Four Corners region, as well as the Desert Southwest through the end of the week. More concentrated areas of rainfall are likely near mountain ranges where upslope flow will aid in thunderstorm development. Isolated thunderstorms may reach as far north as Idaho and Wyoming. For the eastern U.S., a cold front will reach most of the East Coast by Thursday night, while the western end of the front will likely stall over the Deep South for the end of the week. Heat and humidity will be present ahead and south of the front, along with showers and storms. Another area of showers and strong thunderstorms is likely for parts of the central Plains. A high quality airmass will be enjoyed by residents of the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley in the wake of the cold front. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php