Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 335 AM EDT Fri Jul 29 2016 Valid 12Z Fri Jul 29 2016 - 12Z Sun Jul 31 2016 ...Heavy rain and strong storms likely from the lower Mississippi valley to the Mid-Atlantic through Saturday... Numerous showers and thunderstorms are likely from the central Plains to the Northeast U.S. over the next couple of days with a wavy frontal boundary in place. Multiple surface lows along this boundary will help provide an additional focus for significant rainfall and organized thunderstorm activity. These storms will have plenty of high humidity to work with south of the front, and a few severe storms are likely to develop. Parts of the Mid-Atlantic, northeast U.S., and the central Plains have slight risk areas for excessive rainfall through Saturday. Diurnal thunderstorm activity is likely near the Gulf Coast and Florida, with peak coverage during the afternoon and evening hours. North of the frontal boundary, a cooler and more pleasant air mass will be enjoyed across the Upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes region. Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue across much of Texas with no major forcing mechanisms for organized rainfall expected. Across the western U.S., scattered showers and storms are expected to develop each afternoon, with the best concentration across the elevated regions of Arizona and New Mexico with moisture from the monsoon. A break in the upper level ridge and a weak cold front will bring cooler conditions for the Pacific Northwest going into the weekend. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php