Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 233 AM EDT Thu May 03 2018 Valid 12Z Thu May 03 2018 - 12Z Sat May 05 2018 ...Severe thunderstorms likely and flash flooding possible from the Plains to the Northeast today... ...Critical fire weather conditions continue into Friday in the southern Plains... ...Heavy snow continues for the Central Rockies today... ...Record warmth expected for the northern Mid-Atlantic... The front associated with the ongoing severe weather in the Plains and Midwest will slowly push eastward today before quickly moving eastward by Friday. Another round of convection will occur along the front by this afternoon from central Texas into the middle Mississippi Valley. This convection has the capability of becoming severe--as the Storm Prediction Center has an enhanced risk mostly in southern Iowa, northern Missouri and eastern Nebraska/Kansas. In addition, these storms may also produce flash flooding. By Friday, the front moves into the Northeast, Ohio Valley and into the southern Plains. Thunderstorms can be expected in south-central and southwest Texas--where there is a marginal risk of severe weather in addition to flash flooding. Another area of precipitation associated with this front will also occur in the Northeast and Ohio Valley--where thunderstorms also have a marginal chance of becoming severe. By Saturday, showers and thunderstorms will once again continue along the front from the Mid-Atlantic into South Texas. Dry, warm conditions along with gusty winds will occur behind the dryline in eastern New Mexico and into West Texas.These conditions will yield to critical fire weather conditions today. By Friday, dry conditions will prevail albeit winds will begin to weaken. Critical fire weather conditions are expected but for a smaller portion of eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. For information on both the aforementioned severe weather and fire weather, please see the Storm Prediction Center (www.spc.noaa.gov). Heavy snow will continue across the higher elevations of the Colorado Rockies through today as the upper level low driving much of the severe weather in the Plains continues to slide eastward. The High Plains in Colorado can also expect thunderstorms through this evening. Looking eastward, record high temperatures can be expected today and Friday for the Mid-Atlantic--with temperatures reaching the upper 80s to 90 degrees both days! This warmth will be short lived as the cold front reaches the area and brings temperatures back down to near-normal. Reinhart Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php