Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 414 PM EDT Thu Jun 04 2020 Valid 00Z Fri Jun 05 2020 - 00Z Sun Jun 07 2020 ...Severe thunderstorms with locally heavy rain and flooding possible from the Plains to Mid-Atlantic today... ...Excessive heat continues today across the Southwest while warmer than average temperatures overspread much of the country... ...Tropical moisture streaming into Florida could cause locally heavy rainfall and flooding... Scattered thunderstorms are expected for the central and eastern parts of the country through the next couple of days. A few areas could see severe weather--a Slight to Enhanced Risk is in place for the Northern Plains from the Storm Prediction Center through tonight, with large hail the biggest threat but strong winds and tornadoes possible too. High winds are possible in portions of the northern Mid-Atlantic, while another area that could see severe thunderstorms is the Southern Plains. Some localized heavy rain and flash flooding are possible from the Mississippi Valley eastward into the Mid-Atlantic tonight, then across the Appalachians to Mid-Atlantic tomorrow. Precipitation chances are expected to increase over the West into the Rockies Friday into Saturday as a potent upper-level trough approaches the West Coast. This will lead to scattered thunderstorms Friday, but are forecast to focus better over the Northern Plains Saturday, and severe weather is likely there once again. A warmer than average pattern is expected to persist across much of the nation through Friday. Excessive Heat Warnings over parts of the Southwest and Heat Advisories over portions of California are in effect through this evening, before an upper-level low approaches and cools down the Pacific coast by Friday, and more of the West by Saturday. In conjunction with the warm temperatures, the Intermountain West and Southwest could see Elevated to Critical fire danger. High temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees above average will be widespread across the High Plains through Saturday, and record high minimum and maximum temperatures could be set. Temperatures should be several degrees above average over the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic/Northeast as well. Though Tropical Depression Cristobal remains far south of the U.S., currently over southern Mexico, associated tropical moisture is expected to flow into Florida and help cause widespread rain and thunderstorms there. Flooding and flash flooding are possible there over the next few days as storms will be slow-moving, and below normal temperatures are forecast considering the cloudiness and rain. Cristobal is expected to strengthen back into a tropical storm as it moves northward over the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days. Rainfall chances should increase by Saturday over the Gulf Coast north of the system, after scattered activity Friday. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php