Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Thu Jul 12 2018 Valid 12Z Thu Jul 12 2018 - 12Z Sat Jul 14 2018 ...Hurricane Chris will continue to 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 is currently south of Nova Scotia and is expected to clip coastal areas of Newfoundland and Labrador tonight as a tropical storm. As it continues to shift away from the coast, impacts will lessen along the coastline. For the latest forecast track and impacts, visit the National Hurricane Center (www.hurricanes.gov) and the local forecast office for individual watches/warnings/advisories. Scattered to widespread showers will be present across the Mid-Atlantic and portions of the Southeast and Gulf states into the weekend. A frontal boundary will slowly drift southward and act as a focus for convection. Abundant moisture feeding into this region along will slow sell motion, heavy rainfall may be possible - especially for the Carolinas and Georgia. WPC has identified this area as having a marginal risk for excessive rainfall. Widespread convection will continue across much of the Desert Southwest and Southern Rockies as monsoonal moisture advects northward. Heavy rainfall along the terrain could lead to flash flooding, with a magnified threat in flood prone areas. WPC has a majority of this region in a marginal to slight risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding through Saturday. A strong cold front will slowly track east across the northern U.S. resulting in the risk of severe weather across portions of the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. This will couple with a very moist atmosphere and may also result in excessive rainfall and flash flooding concerns for portions of this region through tonight. Excessive rain concerns may also continue into Friday for portions of the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php