Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 353 PM EDT Fri Apr 24 2020 Valid 00Z Sat Apr 25 2020 - 00Z Mon Apr 27 2020 ...There is an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and parts of the Southern Plains, including a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley... ...Soaking rainfall from the Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys to the Northeast, thunderstorms possible in the Tennessee Valley, Carolinas, and Florida... ...Record heat possible in parts of the Southwest and South Florida, March-like temperatures in the East... A storm system tracking across the South Central U.S. will be responsible for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Some thunderstorms could be severe containing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. Some storms may also lead to areas of flash flooding. Plus, there is also a chance for strong-to-severe thunderstorms in central and southern Florida this evening. On the storm's northern flank, periods of rain and spotty thunderstorms over the Central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley will head east into the Ohio Valley and Lower Great Lakes on Saturday. The potential for severe weather on Saturday will be focused over the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas with strong thunderstorms also possible in South Florida. By Saturday night, a new area of low pressure will begin to develop over the Mid-Atlantic and strengthen off the Mid-Atlantic coast on Sunday. Residents from the eastern Ohio Valley to New England will be in for a wet, dreary, and gusty Sunday with the storm waiting to head out to sea until Monday. Abnormally cold temperatures across northern New England will also set the stage for late season snow in the highest elevations of the northern Appalachians. Look for drier conditions to return to the Northeast late in the day on Monday. To the west, a dome of well above normal temperatures will will maintain a stronghold over the Southwest and Great Basin through the weekend and into the start of next week. Forecast highs in the Desert Southwest each day this weekend will at the very least be in the 80s while others surpass the century mark and/or challenge daily record high temps. In fact, parts of southern California are under Heat Advisories through Saturday while Excessive Heat Watches have been issued for the Phoenix metro area on Sunday. In addition, parts of South Florida and the Florida Keys may challenge daily record highs on Saturday. The High Plains will start the weekend on a cool note warmer temperatures will return on Sunday. While the Southwest and some locations of the Intermountain West bask in summer-like temperatures, those from the Mississippi River to the Northeast will contend with below normal temperatures, some of which will range between 10 and 15 degrees below normal. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php