Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 353 PM EDT Mon Sep 25 2017 Valid 00Z Tue Sep 26 2017 - 00Z Thu Sep 28 2017 ...Hurricane Maria to continue tracking north offshore the southern Mid-Atlantic coast... ...Colder temperatures will persist across the western states and warmer across the eastern states... ...Snow in the higher elevations of the Central Rockies... Widespread, cooler than average temperatures will continue for much of the West for a few more days before returning to near seasonal normal by the end of the week. High pressure is forecast to build over the Intermountain West, High Plains, Northern/Central Plains and the Midwest. This will reduce or limit any precipitation along the West Coast, Great Basin and the Northern Rockies. Snow, possibly heavy at times will be possible through Wednesday for the Central Rockies. For the East, warmer temperatures will remain as the ridge stays anchored in place through midweek. Some locations could even achieve record high temperatures with readings breaking the 90-degree mark. A strong, slow moving cold front with multiple waves of low pressure developing along it will span from the Upper Great Lakes to Texas. Numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms will develop along this boundary, especially over the Southern Rockies/adjacent High Plains. With slow motion and ample available moisture streaming in association with Tropical Depression Pilar, there will likely be periods of heavy rainfall, which may lead to some flooding issues from Texas to the Upper Midwest. Much of western Texas has a slight to moderate risk for excessive rainfall-- this area has forecast 3-day maximums of 5 to 10 inches from West-central Texas to Edwards Plateau. Hurricane Maria is forecast to track near parts of the East Coast on tonight and into Wednesday. Current indications suggest this storm may come within 200 miles of North Carolina's Outer Banks before heading out to sea on Thursday. It will be the front approaching from the west that causes the eastward turn for the hurricane later in the week. In the meantime, expect rough surf and high seas for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic coasts, along with increasing cloudiness and gusty winds. The National Hurricane Center has the latest information and forecast track regarding this hurricane. Campbell/Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php