Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 358 AM EDT Mon Aug 06 2018 Valid 12Z Mon Aug 06 2018 - 12Z Wed Aug 08 2018 ...Unsettled weather expected to shift into the Midwest and Great Lakes region as we head into the work-week.... ...Fire weather concerns continue across the portions of the western U.S.... ...Excessive heat to return to portions of the West, Southwest, and Northeast... Scattered to widespread showers and thunderstorms will set up across the Central/Southern Rockies, Mid-Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region as a cold front pushes south and east over the next couple of days. The southern extent of the front will stall over much of the Central/Southern Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley and will provide a focus for strong/severe thunderstorms that are slow moving storms; which will increase the risk for heavy rainfall and flash flooding. WPC has portions of this corridor in a slight risk for excessive rainfall through Wednesday morning, as well as, SPC highlighting a slight risk for severe weather. Persistent dry and windy conditions over the West will maintain an elevated risk for fire danger. Smoke from ongoing wildfires continue to degrade air quality- Air Quality Alerts remain in effect for portions of the western and southwestern U.S. Temperatures are expected to climb as a strong ridge builds back across the Southwest and West over the coming days. Excessive Heat Watches and Warnings are in effect across large portions southern California, southern Nevada, western and southern Arizona, as well as, portions of interior Washington and Oregon as afternoon highs reach or exceed 100 degrees. Strong southerly flow will pump hot and humid air into the Northeast, resulting in above normal temperatures and even higher index values. Heat Advisories are in effect across much of the Northeast through Tuesday. A cold front will pass through after this point and help to cool things down. In the meantime, several areas in the Northeast also have poor air quality. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php