Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 358 AM EDT Sun Jul 5 2015 Valid 12Z Sun Jul 5 2015 - 12Z Tue Jul 7 2015 ***Stormy weather for the Upper Midwest and northern Plains*** ***Cold front crosses the central U.S. by Monday*** ***Hot conditions for most of the western U.S.*** The weather pattern over the nation through Monday will feature a cold front sinking southward across the northern and central Plains, and a weakening stationary front over the eastern U.S. that will provide a focus for showers and storms. Given recent heavy rainfall over much of the southern and eastern U.S., any additional rain may contribute to more flooding and run-off issues. By Monday, there will be less upper level support for heavy rain from the Deep South to the Mid-Atlantic, leading to less widespread coverage of convection. Ahead of the cold front over the central U.S., severe thunderstorms will be possible from Colorado to Minnesota on Sunday. Heavy rainfall is also likely with these storms. Cooler weather will arrive in time for the start of the week from Montana to the Upper Midwest. This same front will also take the edge off the recent heat over Washington, Idaho, and Montana with more seasonal temperatures expected. South of the boundary across the interior Northwest and Great Basin, hot weather is forecast to continue into the beginning of the week with widespread 90s and lower 100s expected. This is where an upper level ridge will prevail. Monsoonal moisture in place over the interior West will allow for the development of scattered showers and storms each afternoon. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php