Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 213 PM EDT Wed Jul 03 2019 Valid 00Z Thu Jul 04 2019 - 00Z Sat Jul 06 2019 ...Slight risk for severe thunderstorms and flash flooding across portions of the Northern and Central Plains on Wednesday night into Thursday... ...The weather pattern changes very little over the next few days across much of the nation... ...Above average temperatures on the 4th of July will stretch across much of the nation to the east of the Central to Southern Rockies. Below average temperatures will be confined to the Northern Plains, Rockies into the Southwest... ...Much of the nation to the east of the Rockies will have chances for scattered thunderstorms the next few days, save for New England... Not a lot of changes expected to the weather pattern across the lower 48 over the next few days, with much of the country in a typical summer pattern. The strongest frontal boundary on the map is expected to push slowly south from the Northern Plains/Upper Mississippi Valley region. This will be the focus for potentially severe thunderstorms and isolated flash flooding from Wednesday night into Thursday. Away from this well defined front, thunderstorms will be more scattered across areas to the east of the Central Rockies, except for New England that will remain dry. Temperatures on the 4th of July will be generally above average to the east of the Central Rockies, with temperatures near or above 90 degrees and high levels of humidity. The hottest temperatures over the next few days will be over the Southwest where temperatures will reach the low 100s. These temperatures, however, are expected to be slightly below average. The coolest temperatures over the next few days will be across portions of the Northern Plains in the wake of the above mentioned cold front sinking south from this region. High temperatures in the low to mid 70s expected across this region, which is approximately 10 to 15 degrees below average. Happy 243rd Birthday, USA! Oravec Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php