Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Thu Aug 22 2019 Valid 12Z Thu Aug 22 2019 - 12Z Sat Aug 24 2019 ...A cold front will cause showers and thunderstorms across much of the central and eastern U.S., with flash flooding possible... ...Excessive heat continues in the Southwest, and the Eastern Seaboard remains warm one more day... ...Fire weather conditions are Critical today for parts of the Intermountain West... A cold front is forecast to slowly move southeastward across the U.S. for the end of the workweek, with widespread rain and thunderstorms focusing along it. Today, a Slight Risk of flash flooding is in place as moisture pools along the front, from portions of the Central/Southern Plains eastward into the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and into the Central Appalachians. Rainfall rates could be high in these areas, and flash flooding may occur where storms train along the same area. On Friday, forecast rainfall totals around 2 inches (with locally higher amounts) in eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia may lead to flash flooding there. While widespread severe weather is not expected today and Friday, isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible. Elsewhere, a low pressure system will move across the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains, causing the potential for scattered thunderstorms in these regions. Locally heavy rainfall and isolated strong to severe storms are possible there. The western/central Gulf Coast may see locally heavy rainfall as Gulf moisture streams in, while some monsoonal moisture making its way into parts of the Southwest and Southern High Plains could lead to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Another hot day is expected for the Southwest, and some Excessive Heat Warnings are still in place. Highs there should be a few degrees lower than in recent days though. As the main cold front progresses, highs in the 90s Thursday for much of the Eastern Seaboard will turn to 70s and low 80s in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Friday. Cooler than average temperatures are expected behind the cold front in the Northern/Central Plains to Upper Midwest, and temperatures a few degrees below average are forecast behind the low pressure system in the Northwest as well. The combination of low humidities and strong winds will lead to a Critical Risk of fire weather for portions of the Central Great Basin and northern portions of the Southwest. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for these areas. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php