Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 407 PM EDT Thu Sep 06 2018 Valid 00Z Fri Sep 07 2018 - 00Z Sun Sep 09 2018 ...Tropical Depression Gordon continues to bring heavy rain and flash flooding concerns to portions of the Southern Plains and the Lower and Middle Mississippi Valley... ...Excessive heat continues to be felt across the northeastern U.S... A frontal boundary is forecast to become stalled over portions of the Central/Southern Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley in the coming days. This boundary, coupled with the deep moisture influx from Tropical Depression Gordon, will be a focus for slow moving storms capable of producing high amounts of rainfall. Additional rainfall on top of already saturated soils with keep an elevated threat for flooding through the end of the week for parts of the central U.S.. The Weather Prediction Center has much of Arkansas as well as portions of the Middle Mississippi Valley in a Slight and Moderate Risk for excessive rainfall through tonight. The Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall is forecast to encompass much of Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois on Friday. As the tropical system continues to shift northeast, the Moderate Risk area will then transition to portions of Indiana, Illinois, and western Missouri, while the Slight Risk area will stretch from Texas through the Lower and Mid Mississippi Valley and into the Ohio Valley. Meanwhile, this same frontal boundary will remain progressive across the northeastern portion of the U.S. Ahead of the front, strong southerly winds are in place, resulting in hot and humid temperatures across the region. Heat advisories are currently in place across coastal portions of the northern Middle Atlantic and Northeast. Excessively hot temperatures are also forecast across portions of the Southwest, including southern California and southwest Arizona, as a strong ridge builds in across the region. Excessive heat watches are in effect here. Elsewhere across the country, scattered thunderstorms are expected in Idaho and may lead to erratic winds and dry lightning which could spawn wildfire activity. A Red Flag Warning is currently in effect for this location. Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php