Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 349 PM EDT Fri Aug 03 2018 Valid 00Z Sat Aug 04 2018 - 00Z Mon Aug 06 2018 ...Unsettled weather pattern continues across the eastern U.S.... ...The heat wave is gradually abating across the West, though fire weather concerns remain... Unsettled weather will continue to be the case for much of the eastern U.S. headig into the first part of the weekend as deep southerly flow off the western edge of the Bermuda High in the Atlantic Ocean leads to a strong surge of moisture across the East. Warm and humid conditions along with rain and thunderstorms will be possible across much of the east coast through the weekend. 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 large portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, as well as portions of coastal Georgia and South Carolina. 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 winds will maintain an elevated threat for the spread of wildfires across portions of California, the Intermountain West, and the northern Rockies, and much of Montana. Numerous Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are in effect for these regions. Additionally, several locations across southern Oregon, southern California, central California, southern Arizona and the Southern Plains have poor air quality in part from wildfire smoke. A low pressure system is currently making its way across the northern Plains, leading to showers and thunderstorms in this region. Some of these storms could be strong to severe through Saturday. The Storm Prediction Center has outlined a portion of the Northern Plains and west/northwest Minnesota as being in a slight risk of severe thunderstorms tonight and Saturday. A marginal risk of severe thunderstorms is also possible across much of the Northern Plains and southward into the Central Plains during this time. Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php