Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 410 PM EDT Sun Jul 01 2018 Valid 00Z Mon Jul 02 2018 - 00Z Wed Jul 04 2018 ...Widespread heat wave to persist across central and eastern U.S... ...Severe thunderstorms along with heavy rain will possible from portions of the Central Plains to the Upper Great Lakes... Scattered to widespread convection is expected to fire across portions of the Central/Northern Plains and into the Great Lakes region as a slow moving cold front makes its way to the East. Warm moist air pooling along this boundary will increase the chances for higher rainfall rates within individual thunderstorms. Periods of heavy rain may increase the risk for rapid runoff and flash flooding. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted much of the region as having a marginal risk for severe thunderstorms, with a couple areas of with a slight risk. The primary threats with these storms will be wind and large hail, along with heavy rain and frequent lightning. Additional information on the risk for severe weather can be found at the the SPC webpage. Showers and thunderstorms will develop across much eastern Gulf Coast and parts of the Florida A low pressure trough will be present over this region over the next few days and will be a focus for convection. Some of these storms could produce locally heavy rain that may cause some flooding issues. Dry conditions are expected to continue for most of the western U.S. from the Rockies westward. Much over the central and eastern U.S. will continue to have a heat wave as an upper level ridge strengthens. Mostly sunny skies and hot conditions can be expected into the middle of the week. Numerous record high temperatures may be set from the Great Lakes to New England. Numerous heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are in effect from near Memphis to Michigan, and also for the Mid-Atlantic to northern New England. High temperatures in the 90s to near 100 degrees, combined with high dewpoints, is expected result in heat indices of 100 to 110 degrees for many areas. Overnight lows will also be quite sultry, especially in urban areas where readings could remain above 75 degrees all night. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php