Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 PM EDT Sat Jul 01 2017 Valid 00Z Sun Jul 02 2017 - 00Z Tue Jul 04 2017 ...Strong to severe thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding today in the southern Plains and New England... ...Showers and thunderstorms are expected to move across the eastern U.S. today ahead of a cold front... Showers and thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon and evening across the eastern states as a cold front pushes through. Some of the thunderstorms will have the potential to become strong, or even severe, for portions of the Northeast, northern Mid-Atlantic and the Southern Appalachians. Please refer to SPC for additional details on the threat for severe weather. Additionally, periods of heavy rain will be likely from upstate New York to Maine; which, could lead to rapid runoff and localized flooding. The cold front is forecast to reach the East Coast Sunday morning, bringing much of the rain out to sea. The trailing end of this front will stall over portions of the Central and Southern Plains. A hot and very humid airmass will remain across the Deep South and Florida over the next few days. As this airmass interacts with the frontal boundary scattered thunderstorms can be expected, especially during the afternoon into the evening hours. The strongest thunderstorms will likely generate over the southern High Plains, along the western end of a stationary front. Cooler and drier air will filter into the north-central and Northeast portions of the U.S. as a series of weak cold fronts pass through. Some thunderstorms can be expected across the Upper Midwest into the Great Lakes by the end of the weekend. Out West, much of the region will be warmer and drier, although, some scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible for the Intermountain West today. Afternoon high temperatures will average 10 degrees above normal across the Intermountain West and the northern Rockies. Fire danger will remain high in the Desert Southwest. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php