Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 242 PM EDT Fri Jun 28 2019 Valid 00Z Sat Jun 29 2019 - 00Z Mon Jul 1 2019 ...Heat building across the central and northern Plains, and storms for the Gulf Coast and the Northeast states... An upper level ridge will build over the Plains for this weekend, along with an upper level trough over the Pacific Northwest and a second upper low approaching New England. The result will be increasing levels of heat and humidity across the north-central U.S., with heat advisories already in effect from Missouri to South Dakota, and excessive heat watches for the greater Minneapolis area. Highs are expected to reach well into the 90s to near 100 degrees. It will also be quite warm for the Eastern U.S., but a cool front settling in across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region will lower humidity and keep highs closer to seasonal averages. However, air quality alerts are in effect for parts of the East Coast owing to increased ground level ozone. The coolest conditions are likely for the Intermountain West and across the Pacific Northwest that will be under the upper level trough. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely for parts of the Gulf Coast region through the upcoming weekend as deep moisture advects inland from the Gulf of Mexico, mainly during the afternoon hours. The greatest chance for scattered downpours will be across the Florida Peninsula, and also near the Arklatex region. Scattered storms are likely ahead of the front passing through the Northeast on Saturday, and another complex of storms across North Dakota and Minnesota ahead of another cold front. Mainly dry conditions are expected for much of the western U.S. and the western High Plains. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php