Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Sat Aug 04 2018 Valid 12Z Sat Aug 04 2018 - 12Z 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... A prolonged stretch with deep southerly flow will keep showers and thunderstorms possible along the East Coast this weekend. Many locations will be warm and humid into the coming week. Some of these thunderstorms could yield heavy rainfall as individual cells track over the same locations, leading to an increased possibility for flash flooding. Flash flood watches are in effect across large portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Strong, possibly severe, showers and thunderstorms will fire across the Central and Northern Plains this weekend as a low pressure system tracks through the central U.S. The best potential for severe weather today and Sunday will be over the Upper Mississippi Valley - the Storm Prediction Center has identified this region as having a slight risk for severe weather. Additionally, some of these storms may produce heavy rain over portions of Nebraska and Kansas. 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 this 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. 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. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php