Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 402 AM EDT Wed Jul 11 2018 Valid 12Z Wed Jul 11 2018 - 12Z Fri Jul 13 2018 ...Hurricane Chris will track northeast over the Atlantic Ocean... ...Severe thunderstorms expected across portions of the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley through Thursday... ...Heavy rainfall and flash flooding possible across portions of the Southwest and southern Rockies... Hurricane Chris has spent the last couple of day hanging out offshore the Mid-Atlantic Coast- it is now expected to pick up its pace and track further out over the Atlantic Ocean, while transitioning to a post-tropical system. Areas in the vicinity of Long Island to eastern Massachusetts will continue to have rip currents, coastal flooding and rough seas today although conditions will improve as the storm continues to track away from the coast. For the most current information regarding Chris, visit the National Hurricane Center (www.hurricanes.gov) and the local forecast office for individual watches/warnings/advisories. The severe weather outbreak across the north-central U.S. is expected to continue today and into Thursday as a strong front slowly progresses eastward through the region. The boundary will trigger scattered to widespread strong convection over the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an slight risk of severe weather for Minnesota and western Wisconsin. There is also a potential for flash flooding on Wednesday in northeast Minnesota. Please refer to the Storm Prediction Center for specific information on the threat for severe weather (www.spc.noaa.gov). Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase across the Southwest through the end of the week as monsoonal moisture surges north. Heavy rainfall along the terrain could lead to flash flooding in addition to flood prone areas. By Thursday, heavy rainfall will continue in the Southwest but also begin to spread into the southern and central Rockies. There is a slight risk of flash flooding in the Southwest today with the slight risk shifting eastward by Thursday along the Rockies. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php