Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 502 AM EDT Fri Aug 07 2015 Valid 12Z Fri Aug 07 2015 - 12Z Sun Aug 09 2015 ***Severe thunderstorms possible across the Great Basin, Central Plains, Midwest and the Deep South*** ***Heavy rain possible over portions of the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains*** ***Excessive heat will continue for the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley*** The Southern Plains and the Deep South will remain hot over the next few days. With upper-level ridge overhead, many locations will have temperatures in the upper 90s and 100+. Widespread heat advisories and warnings are in effect across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The strength of the ridge will weaken as the upper-level trough over the west lifts through the Great Basin, sending disturbances through the top of the ridge. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are anticipated for much of the Great Basin and Central Plains. Some of these storms may be severe; the Storm Prediction Center has issued slight risks for the Nevada/Utah border and NE Wyoming/NW Kansas/W Nebraska for today. The area of a slight risk will shift over E Nebraska/S Iowa/ N Missouri/W Illinois on Saturday as the frontal system tracks across the Central and Northern Plains. The weather pattern over the eastern U.S. for the end of the week will feature a developing surface low over the Mid-Atlantic region. The result will be area of moderate to heavy rainfall extending from the central Appalachians across Virginia. A few areas could receive in excess of two inches of rain by Saturday morning, with improving weather in time for the weekend. Scattered to numerous showers and storms occur in advance of the trailing cold front across the southeast. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted E Alabama/SW Mississippi/ W Florida as having a slight risk for severe thunderstorm to develop today. The Southeast will remain in an active wet pattern through the weekend. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php