Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 235 AM EDT Wed Aug 24 2016 Valid 12Z Wed Aug 24 2016 - 12Z Fri Aug 26 2016 ...Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain possible today across portions of the central plains and mid-Mississippi valley... ...Above average temperatures expected to return to the Pacific Northwest... A cold front will bring numerous showers and thunderstorms to areas from the Upper Midwest to the central plains and mid-Mississippi valley today into tonight. Some storms may be severe, and heavy rainfall is also possible. Please refer to products issued by the Storm Prediction Center for further details on the severe weather threat. Thursday and Friday the front will move east, bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms from the Northeast and lower Great Lakes to the Ohio valley. The trailing end of the frontal boundary will become nearly stationary from the southern plains into the central Rockies through Friday, keeping scattered showers and thunderstorms a possibility for those areas as well. Elsewhere, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will also be possible through Friday along the Gulf Coast. A mid/upper-level ridge of high pressure over the north Pacific will attempt to build into the northwestern U.S., resulting in rising temperatures once again. High temperatures today are forecast to be 10 to 15 degrees above average across the Pacific Northwest, with some areas surpassing 15 degrees above average by Thursday and Friday. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php