Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 243 AM EST Wed Feb 24 2016 Valid 12Z Wed Feb 24 2016 - 12Z Fri Feb 26 2016 ...Strong to severe thunderstorms expected from the Southeast up to the northern mid-Atlantic today... ...Heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding possible across the Ohio Valley and for mush of the eastern U.S... Widespread showers and thunderstorms are accompanying a rigorous storm system as it's moving through the Gulf/Southeast states. Numerous severe storms have ripped through the South yesterday and during the overnight hours. As the surface low associated with this system lifts into the Tennessee Valley and strengthens, combined with an abundant stream of Gulf moisture advecting northward, conditions will be prime for severe thunderstorms to develop across the East Coast. For more information about the severe weather, refer to the Storm Prediction Center's webpage. Flash flooding will be an additional threat through the Ohio Valley and areas east of the Appalachians from North Carolina to New Hampshire. Periods of heavy rain, in addition to the recent heavy rains over this area, it could lead to flash flooding. The strong cold front will exit Mid-Atlantic region by early Thursday morning and most of the precipitation will have diminished. However, light to moderate rain will continue across New England throughout the day on Thursday. The potential for flooding will continue for Maine on Thursday. Windy and cooler weather will settle in from the Southern Plains to the Northeast after the cold front has passed. Areas west of the Divide will will remain fairly quiet through Thursday with the upper-level ridge in place. Rain will begin to move into the Pacific Northwest by Thursday afternoon ahead of an approaching low pressure system. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php