Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 303 AM EDT Thu May 2 2019 Valid 12Z Thu May 2 2019 - 12Z Sat May 4 2019 ...Widespread showers and storms are expected from Texas to the Ohio Valley... An active weather pattern is forecast to continue through the end of the week from the Southern Plains to the Midwest and Ohio Valley along a nearly stationary frontal boundary. Multiple waves of low pressure are expected to form along this boundary and these are expected to produce mesoscale convective complexes with enhanced rainfall. Numerous showers and storms are expected to continue regenerating in the vicinity of this front with the best prospects for heavy rainfall from central Texas to southern Illinois, with amounts on the order of 2 to 4 inches likely for some areas. There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across parts of these areas where the threat of flash flooding is greatest over the next couple of days. Some severe thunderstorms will also be possible, with the best prospects for these across Texas and also the Ohio Valley based on the latest SPC forecasts. The frontal boundary should slowly progress southward on Friday, but heavy rainfall will continue to be a threat across parts of central and eastern Texas. The eastern part of the this boundary crosses through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast by the end of the week. This will also generate showers and storms in the warm and humid airmass ahead of it, with the potential for some strong to severe storms. Elsewhere across the country, a weak surface low developing across the Florida peninsula on Thursday will bring an increased chance for heavy rain. Ahead of the dominant frontal boundary, expect temperatures to be more reminiscent of June with afternoon highs on the order of 10 to 20 degrees above average expected from the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic for the end of the week. Behind the front, from the Central Plains westward, temperatures should be below seasonal averages on Thursday, with the West coast beginning to moderate back to above average levels as upper level ridging builds into the region. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php