Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 343 AM EDT Thu Jun 16 2016 Valid 12Z Thu Jun 16 2016 - 12Z Sat Jun 18 2016 ...Severe thunderstorms possible across parts of the Great Lakes, Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and northern High Plains... ...Heavy rain possible on Thursday across portions of the Mid-Atlantic region... ...Dangerous heat expected to continue across much of the central/southern plains and Mississippi valley... The overall synoptic pattern will consist of an upper-level trough extending from Canada to southwestward to the Great Basin/southern California, a ridge over the southern/central U.S. and another upper-level trough extending along the eastern Seaboard to the Mid-Atlantic. Hot, sultry weather will continue across much of the central and southern states through the end of week - a vast area has heat advisories in effect, with portions of Oklahoma and Missouri with excessive heat warnings. Afternoon highs will be in the upper 90s, possibly low 100s, with hazardous heat indices in the 100-110 degrees F range. Please refer to products issued by local NWS Forecast Offices for details specific to your area. Lingering low pressure aloft will keep a somewhat unsettled conditions in place across much of the West. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible from the Northwestern states to the northern High Plains along a nearly stationary surface front. Conditions will be favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across the central Dakotas today. This portion of the northern High Plains has a slight risk in place from the Storm Prediction Center. A low pressure system will track from the Great Lakes/Ohio valley region to the central Appalachians/Mid-Atlantic today, ushering in showers and thunderstorms to the region. Some of the thunderstorms may become severe for some areas, especially for West Virginia, Virginia and western Maryland where an enhanced risk has been issued by the Storm Prediction Center. Heavy rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches are possible across these areas and localized flash flooding will as be possible. The rain and thunderstorms will linger across the southern Mid-Atlantic and portions of the Carolinas into Friday morning before decreasing in coverage by afternoon as the area of low pressure moves offshore. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue to be possible farther west on Friday ahead of the cold front across much of the Southeast and lower Mississippi valley. Strong daytime heating over the Southeast will help generate and maintain showers and thunderstorms along the Gulf Coast and Florida over the next few days. Amounts of 1 to 2 inches will be possible by early Sunday morning. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php