Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Thu Jun 13 2019 Valid 12Z Thu Jun 13 2019 - 12Z Sat Jun 15 2019 ...Heat lingers in the West on Thursday with temperatures moderating late in the week... ...Severe thunderstorms possible for portions of the southern and central High Plains on Thursday... ...Wet weather and unseasonably cool temperatures from the Midwest to the Northeast on Thursday... While not as hot as previous days, above normal temperatures will persist for another day across much of the West. Daytime highs of 10-20 degrees above normal are expected from the Pacific Northwest to eastern Montana. In addition to the heat, the combination of strengthening winds and low humidity ahead of an approaching cold front will increase the fire weather danger today across portions of the Northwest, with a Red Flag Warning in effect for Thursday across portions of central Washington and north-central Oregon. Across the Desert Southwest, temperatures will once again reach triple digits on Thursday, resulting in another day of Excessive Heat warnings for portions of southern California, southern Nevada and southwestern Arizona, including the Las Vegas and Phoenix metro areas. However, by Friday as a series of upper level disturbances break down the strong upper level high, a return to more seasonal temperatures is expected across much of the West. Contrasting with the West, below normal temperatures will persist for another day across much of the central and eastern U.S., before temperatures begin to warm across the Plains on Friday. Weak upper level disturbances spilling out of the Rockies along with increasing moisture will support shower and thunderstorm development along the southern and central High Plains today. Some of these storms may become strong to severe, particularly across parts of northeast New Mexico and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted this area with a Slight Risk for severe thunderstorms on Thursday, noting the potential for large hail and damaging winds. Addition storm development is expected across the Plains on Friday, with a Slight Risk for severe storms indicated for portions of the central High Plains. Chilly, wet weather is expected across portions of the Midwest as a strengthening area of low pressure lifts northeast across the Great Lakes on Thursday. Daytime highs 10-20 degrees below normal are expected from the Great Lakes to as far south as the Tennessee valley on Thursday. Unseasonably cool and wet weather is also forecast for the Northeast on Thursday as a coastal low continues to track north ahead of the approaching Midwest system. Pereira Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php