Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 416 PM EDT Mon Aug 04 2014 Valid 00Z Tue Aug 05 2014 - 00Z Thu Aug 07 2014 ***Bertha is expected to remain offshore*** ***Monsoonal showers are expected in the Great Basin to northern California... Hurricane Bertha is expected to remain well off the east coast. The low along the front just off the southeast coast is forecast to weaken and move out to sea by Tuesday evening, bringing a return to drier weather conditions to the southeast US by mid-week. Showers early this week in the eastern Carolinas end by mid week. Scattered to numerous showers occur each afternoon over peninsular Florida and along a weakening front near the Gulf coast. A frontal boundary from the northern Rockies across the central Plains and Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, and northeast is expected to be the focus of scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms for the middle of this week, which will also extend into the Great Lakes and nearby portions of the northern Plains. High pressure should maintain dry conditions across the Upper Mississippi Valley. Persistent monsoonal moisture in the Great Basin and northern California is expected to combine with an upper low to bring an enhanced chance of showers and storms mid week as well. These showers will help bring a reprieve to drought conditions in much of the region. Scattered diurnal showers and storms should form over the central Rockies as well. Petersen/Kong Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php