Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 AM EDT Fri Jul 31 2020 Valid 12Z Fri Jul 31 2020 - 12Z Sun Aug 02 2020 ...Hurricane Isaias is forecast to track over the Bahamas through Saturday before bringing potentially impactful weather to Florida... ...Heavy rain and flash flooding are possible for portions of the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys... ...Excessive heat and locally elevated fire danger continues in the West... Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs) is now a hurricane, and is forecast to pass over the Bahamas today and Saturday, causing strong winds, flash flooding, and dangerous storm surge. The current forecast for Isaias has it tracking east of the Florida peninsula over the weekend. However, rain and flash flooding could affect eastern portions of Florida beginning Saturday. Additionally, storm surge could be a threat along the Florida east coast if the forecast track shifts closer to the coast. The details of the track also remain uncertain for the Southeast coast farther north. Please consult the National Hurricane Center for further and updated information on Isaias. A stalled frontal boundary with waves of low pressure along it is forecast to help cause rain and thunderstorms across portions of the Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley and into the Mid-Atlantic today and through the weekend. The highest rainfall totals through tonight of 1 to 2 inches, with locally higher amounts, are forecast over southern Missouri/northern Arkansas and into the Lower Ohio Valley. A Slight Risk of flash flooding is in place there. Then on Saturday, a surface low lifts northeastward a bit, and the best potential for heavy rain and flash flooding should be over the Ohio Valley and toward the Mid-Atlantic. Severe thunderstorms are not expected to be widespread but cannot be ruled out over the next couple of days. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also possible along another front moving through the north-central U.S., but rain totals are expected to remain light. Additionally, monsoonal moisture in the Southern Rockies/Southern High Plains could lead to a few instances of flash flooding through Saturday. In the West, a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure will cause temperatures to soar especially today, but remain warm through the weekend. Widespread record highs should be set, and portions of the Desert Southwest can expected temperatures in the 110s to continue. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect for much of the Great Basin, Desert Southwest, and southern parts of California. The abnormally hot weather combined with very dry air and locally gusty winds will enhance the fire danger as a result, with the biggest concerns of Elevated fire danger across the Northern Great Basin today and the Desert Southwest Saturday per the Storm Prediction Center. Meanwhile, temperatures will be lower than normal in portions of the Plains and Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php