Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 AM EDT Fri Aug 03 2018 Valid 12Z Fri Aug 03 2018 - 12Z Sun Aug 05 2018 ...Unsettled weather pattern continues across the eastern U.S.... ...The heat wave is gradually abating across the West, though fire weather concerns remain... Much of the the western states will continue to be hot and mostly dry over the next few days, although temperatures will be steadily moderating by the weekend. Low humidity along with gusty wind will maintain an elevated threat for the spread of wildfires across portions of the Great Basin/Southwest and the Intermountain West. Numerous Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are in effect. Additionally, several locations across southern Oregon, southern California, southern Arizona and the Southern Plains have poor air quality in part from wildfire smoke. An increase in precipitation is forecast for the Pacific Northwest as an upper-level trough approaches the Coast and begins to breakdown the ridge. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop across portions of the Intermountain West, Central/Southern Rockies and the adjacent High Plains as a frontal system exits into the Northern/Central Plains. Some of these storms may become severe this afternoon near the Dakota/Minnesota border. Unsettled weather will continue to be the case for much of the eastern U.S. through the end of the workweek, owing to a stalled frontal boundary extending from Texas to the Lower Great Lakes. This front will continue to weaken and eventually dissipate by Friday. In the meantime, the boundary will couple with a large scale upper level trough extending from the Great Lakes to the Mid South, as well as deep southerly flow off the western edge of the Bermuda High in the Atlantic Ocean, leading to a strong surge of moisture across the East- resulting in warm and humid conditions with rain and thunderstorms possible from the Gulf Coast to New England. Some of these rain showers and thunderstorms could be quite heavy, and track over many of the same locations, leading to the potential for flash flooding. Flash flood watches are in effect across much of the Appalachian region. Campbell/Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php