Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 444 PM EDT Mon Jun 29 2015 Valid 00Z Tue Jun 30 2015 - 00Z Thu Jul 2 2015 ***Scattered showers and storms for the Gulf Coast and eastern U.S.*** ***Monsoonal moisture becoming established over southwestern U.S.*** ***Hot weather continues for Pacific Northwest and Great Basin*** The overall weather pattern for the next few days will be featured with a large scale ridge over the western U.S. and a trough over the eastern U.S. Shortwave disturbances tracking eastward over the western ridge are forecast to drop southeastward over the High Plains and eventually over the Midwest. These features will be embedded in northwest flow aloft and will likely be accompanied by thunderstorm complexes that may bring an inch or more of rain. Elsewhere across the eastern U.S., diurnally driven showers and storms are likely to develop each day near the Gulf Coast and also along the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio Valley areas. Temperatures will be seasonable to slightly below average for most areas east of the Rockies. Across the western U.S., excessive heat will continue making headlines as the strong ridge allows for sinking motions and thus hot temperatures. Widespread 100+ degree temperatures remain likely for the lower elevations of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, and California through midweek, which is well above normal. The normal hot temperatures for the Desert Southwest region will also be present through the week. Increasing moisture from the monsoon will make it feel more humid for the Desert Southwest, along with daily chances for thunderstorms. Most of these storms are likely to form over the higher terrain. The best weather across the western U.S. will be near the West Coast, with pleasantly cool temperatures and no rain. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php