Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 356 PM EDT Thu Oct 06 2016 Valid 00Z Fri Oct 07 2016 - 00Z Sun Oct 09 2016 ...Hurricane Matthew approaching southeast Florida and will move along the coast through Friday... ...Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain possible across the Plains on today... The center of Hurricane Matthew, which is currently at a Category 4 making it a major hurricane, is beginning to move past the Bahamas and approach the southeast coast of Florida. Spiraling rainbands have already begun moving across the state and will continue to do so for through Saturday as Matthew tracks north along the Florida coast. Matthew will come dangerously close to the Melbourne/Space Coast region by Friday morning and by Saturday morning the center will be right off the South Carolina coast. Heavy rainfall across the eastern half of Florida can be expected through Saturday morning--with a high risk of flash flooding especially in the Melbourne to West Palm Beach region through Friday morning. As Matthew tracks up the Florida coast, highest rainfall amounts can be expected along the coastal regions from Melbourne to Jacksonville through Friday. There could be a sharp gradient of rainfall amounts from the eastern portions to the western portions Florida where not as much rainfall is expected. Heavy rainfall will continue along the Georgia coast and the Carolinas from Friday afternoon and throughout Saturday as Matthew continues its northward trek. To find the specific threats associated with Hurricane Matthew along with its most current track/intensity, see the National Hurricane Center (www.hurricanes.gov). An upper level low will push eastward across Canada and move toward the Great Lakes; at the surface, a strong cold front will surge southward from the Great Lakes to the southern Plains tonight into Friday morning. Along and ahead of this front, scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will continue moving across the Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley through tonight. There is a slight risk of flash flooding across the Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley along with an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms (per Storm Prediction Center). By Friday, scattered showers will be confined to the southern Plains as the front surges across Texas. In addition, as the front moves across the Ohio Valley, lighter showers can be expected along the boundary. Fanning Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php