Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 437 PM EDT Thu Sep 13 2018 Valid 00Z Fri Sep 14 2018 - 00Z Sun Sep 16 2018 ...Hurricane Florence is bearing down on the Carolina coastline... ...Catastrophic flooding and life-threatening surge expected over parts of the Carolina coast... ...There is a slight risk of severe weather over parts of North Carolina coast... ...Heavy rain possible across the northern Mid-Atlantic coast and across southern and coastal Texas... ...Fire Weather concerns continue across portions of the western U.S.... Hurricane Florence is currently bearing down on the Carolina coast. Hurricane Warnings are in effect across the Carolina and southern Virginia coastlines as hurricane force winds are impacting the region. This storm will also produce life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall as it slowly moves onshore by Friday morning. The greatest storm surge inundation is forecasted between Cape Fear and Cape Hatteras. Catastrophic rainfall amounts of 20 to 30 inches with isolated amounts of 40 inches are expected across southeast coastal North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina into the weekend. The remainder of South Carolina, North Carolina, and southwest Virginia are forecast to receive 6 to 12 inches, with isolated amounts of 15 inches. Flash Flood watches are in effect for much of this region. The Storm Prediction Center has also issued a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across the North Carolina coast through the day Friday. 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. Onshore flow off the Atlantic Ocean in association with the hurricane will aid in showers and thunderstorms along the coastal northern Mid Atlantic Friday and into the weekend. The Weather Prediction Center has issued a marginal and slight risk of excessive rainfall and flash flooding through the weekend as a result. Meanwhile, a tropical disturbance is currently sitting across the western Gulf of Mexico and is resulting in onshore flow across Texas. This will promote showers and thunderstorms across southern and eastern Texas over the coming days, especially near the coastline. Marginal and slight risks of excessive rainfall are in place here as well. Flash flood watches are also in effect along the coast and across southern Texas. Fire weather concerns continue across portions of the western U.S. as dry conditions continue to couple with above normal temperatures and gusty southerly winds. Red Flag warnings remain in effect from the southern Sierra Nevadas eastward across the Central Great Basin, Central Rockies and a portion of the western Plains. Meanwhile, farther northward, a cooler airmass is moving into place. A freeze warning has been issued across a portion of northwest California and south-central Oregon for overnight/Friday morning lows. Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php