Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 PM EDT Sat Jul 30 2016 Valid 00Z Sun Jul 31 2016 - 00Z Tue Aug 02 2016 ...Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms likely from the lower Mississippi valley to the northern Mid-Atlantic this weekend... ...Hot weather from the Desert Southwest to Texas... A vast area of showers and thunderstorms will develop along a slow-moving low pressure system this weekend as it lifts through the Ohio valley and Mid-Atlantic region. Localized areas of heavy rainfall will likely develop across Pennsylvania - possibly into portions of New York and western New England; which will elevate the risk for flash flooding over the next couple of days. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also forecast along the trailing front in the Midwest and central Plains. Some of the thunderstorms may turn severe over the next couple of days, however, currently the threat is marginal at best. Please refer to the Storm Prediction Center's webpage for updates on the potential for severe thunderstorms. Much of the Gulf Coast and the Southeast will have showers and thunderstorms develop each day during the afternoon and evening hours. The Desert Southwest and Texas will have hot temperatures under the persistent upper-level ridge. Monsoonal flow streaming into in the region will aid the generation of convection across New Mexico and Arizona. Meanwhile, north of the boundary, cooler temperatures are expected through early next week for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region. 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. A developing cold front will bring cooler conditions for the Pacific Northwest this weekend. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php