Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 521 PM EDT Thu May 21 2015 Valid 00Z Fri May 22 2015 - 00Z Sun May 24 2015 ***High quality airmass over the eastern U.S. through Saturday*** ***Heavy rain and stormy weather continues for southern Plains*** ***Scattered showers and storms over the western U.S.*** The cool and refreshing temperatures are expected to continue for a few more days across much of the eastern U.S. The disturbance that brought the showers and thunderstorms to the Mid-Atlantic region and the Carolinas on Thursday is now moving offshore with improving conditions by Friday morning. Over Texas and Oklahoma, more bad weather is expected during the short-term forecast period with multiple rounds of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms. Deep moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will continue flowing northward around the backside of the surface high to the east. Flooding remains a serious concern for these areas given already saturated ground and rivers overflowing their banks. Several inches of rainfall is a good possibility. For the western U.S., the presence of the upper level trough will allow for the development of scattered showers and storms from inland portions of California to the front range of the Rockies. Snow is likely for the highest mountain ranges, especially during the overnight periods. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php