Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 404 AM EDT Tue Jul 10 2018 Valid 12Z Tue Jul 10 2018 - 12Z Thu Jul 12 2018 ...Tropical Storm Chris will continue to strengthen and linger off the Carolinas, eventually tracking away from the coast by Wednesday... ...Severe thunderstorms expected across the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley, with flash flooding possible on Wednesday in parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley... ...Heavy rainfall and flash flooding possible across portions of the Southwest and Southern Rockies... Tropical Storm Chris is currently stalled offshore of the Carolinas and is anticipated to strengthen to a Hurricane this afternoon and then track to the northeast. While much of the heaviest rainfall should stay well offshore, outer rain bands from Chris may clip the Outer Banks of North Carolina. WPC has a marginal risk for excessive rainfall in effect for southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. Strong winds associated with Chris will cause dangerous surf and rip-currents up the Mid-Atlantic coast. For specific information in regards to the Tropical Storm Chris please refer to those products issued by the local forecast offices, as well, as the National Hurricane Center. A low pressure system will lift up of the Rockies and move across the Northern High Plains and into the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great lakes regions over the next few days. This front will be a focus for strong convection to develop from Montana to Wisconsin. Severe thunderstorms along with embedded heavy rainfall will be possible. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted portions Montana and North Dakota within a slight risk for severe weather today and into parts of Minnesota on Wednesday. WPC also has a slight risk for excessive rainfall/flash flooding along the boundary in Minnesota on Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms will be on the increase across portions of the Southwest and Southern Rockies as monsoonal moisture advects northward. Heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be possibility, especially for areas of higher terrain or flood prone regions. WPC has a marginal to slight risk for much of this region on its excessive rainfall outlooks. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist over the next few days over the Gulf states and the Southeast as Gulf moisture overrides a decaying frontal boundary. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php