Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 AM EDT Thu Aug 23 2018 Valid 12Z Thu Aug 23 2018 - 12Z Sat Aug 25 2018 ...Hurricane Lane forecast to track close to the Hawaiian Islands... ...Heavy rainfall to impact the Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes... ...Critical fire weather conditions for today in the West along with air quality concerns... Hurricane Lane is expected to brush south of the Hawaiian Islands--approaching the Big Island as a major hurricane by this afternoon. However, regardless of where the center is, these islands will still feel the impact of Lane. Heavy rain will be a major concern, as well as storm surge and wind damage. For the most current information on the most current track and hazards associated with Lane, visit the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's web site (www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/). A low pressure system is expected to lift northward from the southern and central Plains into the Mississippi Valley over the next few days. Thunderstorms are expected today to occur in Kansas/Oklahoma in addition to the Dakotas/Nebraska. A slight risk of severe thunderstorms will be possible especially in central South Dakota and Nebraska. Some of these storms could be capable of producing heavy downpours which could lead to flash flooding. By Friday, most of the upper and middle Mississippi Valley in addition to the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley can expect showers and thunderstorms. Once again, a slight risk of severe thunderstorms will be possible for parts of the upper and middle Mississippi Valley. Heavy rain rain will be expected especially in the Upper Great Lakes and parts of the middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley. Critical fire weather conditions continue into today especially in Idaho but also extends down into the Great Basin. Furthermore, red flag warnings are also in effect for parts of the Pacific Northwest due to persistent dry conditions and gusty winds which could lead to increased fire spread on new or existing wildfires. Smoke from active wildfires are leading to air quality concerns across the Pacific Northwest. Air Quality alerts are in effect for most of the Pacific Northwest and Idaho. Reinhart Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php