Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 320 AM EDT Wed Aug 2 2017 Valid 12Z Wed Aug 2 2017 - 12Z Fri Aug 4 2017 ...Heat for the western U.S. and cooler temperatures for the northern Plains and Upper Midwest... A major heat wave will be making weather headlines through the end of the week for much of the Intermountain West and extending into the Pacific Northwest. An impressive upper level ridge situated over the West Coast will result in many locations setting record high temperatures, and some sites coming close to all-time record highs! Triple digit temperatures will be common from Washington state to California away from the coastal areas, and overnight lows will also be warmer than normal. Therefore, excessive heat warnings are in effect for these areas. It will be a different story for the central and northern Plains with a strong cold front passing through the region by the end of the week. A high quality airmass from Canada will settle southward and result in daytime highs in the 70s and lower 80s for Kansas and points northward along with comfortable humidity levels to close out the week. Even some 60s for highs will be possible on Thursday across parts of Minnesota and the Great Lakes region with increased cloud cover from the frontal boundary to the south. Ahead of the frontal boundary, showers and thunderstorms will be likely from the southern Plains to the Midwest and Ohio Valley. Some strong to severe storms along with localized areas of heavy rainfall will be possible. Seasonal heat and humidity with scattered showers and storms are expected for the East Coast. The southwestern U.S. will continue to see monsoonal moisture streaming in over the next few days, fueling scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms. Areas from southeastern Arizona through western Texas could see heavy rain and the possibility of flash flooding with these thunderstorms. Ample moisture along the Gulf Coast will lead to showers and thunderstorms in that area over the next few days as well. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php