Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 352 PM EDT Wed Sep 12 2018 Valid 00Z Thu Sep 13 2018 - 00Z Sat Sep 15 2018 ...Major Hurricane Florence expected to begin bearing down on the Carolinas and surrounding areas... ...Catastrophic flooding and dangerous storm surge expected over parts of the Carolina Coast... ...Heavy rain and potential flash flooding possible along the Texas Coast... ...Fire weather concerns continue across the West... Major Hurricane Florence will begin impacting the Carolina coast by Thursday morning. Hurricane Warnings are now in effect as hurricane force winds are expected to begin hitting the coast by late Thursday. 20 to 30 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 40 inches will be possible across the coastal Carolinas through the end of the week. This will result in catastrophic flash flooding and significant river flooding. Storm surge could also be in excess of 9 feet in multiple locations along the coastline, and will be accompanied by large destructive waves. Please see the latest National Hurricane Center advisories for updates on the forecast track, impacts, and details of any watches and warnings associated with Hurricane Florence. Meanwhile, a quasi-stationary front extending from the Mid-Atlantic southwestward to the Western Gulf Coast will slowly dissipate from the Western Gulf Coast to the Central Appalachians by Thursday morning. Convergence along this boundary in coastal Texas will result in continued showers and thunderstorms, which may persist well after the boundary dissipates. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a slight risk of excessive rainfall along the coast in Texas for tonight and continuing into Thursday and Friday as well. Across the West, a deep upper level trough and a surface frontal boundary is leading to gusty conditions across much of the region. The combination of winds and ongoing dry conditions will continue the threat of wildfires through today. Red Flag warnings are currently in effect for the Central Great Basin, Central Rockies, and the western Plains. Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php