Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 253 AM EDT Fri Aug 19 2016 Valid 12Z Fri Aug 19 2016 - 12Z Sun Aug 21 2016 ...Severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rain possible across portions of the southern and central plains... ...Dangerously hot temperatures expected for portions of the Pacific Northwest... A cold front will bring showers and thunderstorms to areas from the southern plains to the Upper Midwest today. Severe thunderstorms as well as locally heavy rainfall are possible across portions of the southern and central plains. Refer to products issued by the Storm Prediction Center for further details on the severe weather threat. On Saturday the cold front will move east, spreading showers and thunderstorms across the Great Lakes and into the Ohio valley, while the trailing end of the front keeps showers and storms in place for Texas as well. By Sunday, the front will begin to move into the eastern U.S., with showers and thunderstorms accompanying it. Behind the cold front, a much cooler air mass will move into the northern Rockies and northern High Plains today, with high temperatures forecast to be 15 to 25 degrees below average. Below average temperatures will overspread much of the central and northern plains on Saturday, with temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below average. High pressure aloft will keep the West Coast dry and hot through most of the short range. The Pacific Northwest will experience particularly anomalous temperatures, with afternoon highs expected to be 15 to 25 degrees above average today and Saturday. Some areas of western Oregon and Washington could surpass 100 degrees. Temperatures should begin to cool by Sunday as high pressure breaks down and a cold front approaches the region. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php