Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 AM EDT Sat Jul 4 2015 Valid 12Z Sat Jul 4 2015 - 12Z Mon Jul 6 2015 ***Stationary front remains over east-central U.S.*** ***Scattered showers and storms for many areas*** ***Some improvement in the western heat wave*** A quasi-stationary frontal boundary is expected to remain situated from Arkansas to the Mid-Atlantic for this weekend. The heat and summer-like humidity will remain south of the boundary, and cooler conditions to the north. This front will serve as a focusing mechanism for organized areas of rainfall and thunderstorms, and scattered activity along the Gulf Coast and over Florida. The heaviest rain is expected to develop from Arkansas to North Carolina, where rainfall amounts in excess of an inch will be possible. A few severe thunderstorms will also be possible. For the western U.S., diurnally driven showers and storms will continue to be present each afternoon and evening across the Four-Corners region and extending southward into Mexico in response to monsoonal moisture in place. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible across the higher elevations of northern California, Oregon, and Washington. A cold front moving southward through the northern Rockies and parts of the Pacific Northwest will result in a welcome abatement to the excessive heat this weekend, especially from Washington state to western Montana. This same front will likely produce a band of showers and storms for the northern Plains on Sunday. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php