Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 326 AM EDT Thu Sep 24 2015 Valid 12Z Thu Sep 24 2015 - 12Z Sat Sep 26 2015 ...Heavy rain possible across portions of the central plains/Midwest... ...Heavy rain and flash flooding possible across portions of the southeastern U.S... ...Well above-average temperatures expected for the Intermountain West... A slow-moving surface low and the associated frontal boundary will result in showers and thunderstorms this morning into early afternoon across portions of the central plains and Midwest. Rainfall amounts across this area may be locally heavy. Showers and thunderstorms across this area should become more scattered in nature by this afternoon and evening. An area of low pressure off the Southeast U.S. coast will drift slowly northward along the coast through Saturday. An associated frontal boundary extending northeast of the low will provide sufficient lift for numerous showers and thunderstorms across much of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas today. On Friday, rain is forecast to spread farther north into portions of Virginia as the surface low continues to drift slowly northward. Heavy rainfall amounts are possible, with 1 to 4 inches of rain possible across some areas through early Saturday. These rainfall amounts may result in the potential for flash flooding, particularly across the southern Appalachians. At the same time, a strong area of surface high pressure will move into eastern Canada, resulting in northeasterly flow at the surface east of the Appalachians. This, combined with the rain, will result in high temperatures 5 to 10 degrees below average. The persistent area of low pressure of the coast will also result in gusty winds, high surf, and rip currents along much of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coastline. Showers are expected for coastal portions of the Pacific Northwest later today into tonight as a cold front approaches the region. Rain will end during the day on Friday as the front moves inland, where it will produce very little additional precipitation across the interior West. Ahead of the cold front, temperatures will be well above average. Afternoon high temperatures across the Intermountain West are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees above average over the next couple days. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php