Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 413 PM EDT Thu Aug 13 2020 Valid 00Z Fri Aug 14 2020 - 00Z Sun Aug 16 2020 ...Thunderstorms with heavy rain are possible across much of the central and eastern U.S., with severe weather expected in the Northern Plains to Upper Mississippi Valley... ...Record heat will be widespread across the West Coast to the Southern Plains... ...Fire danger is expected for the Great Basin into the Rockies... Over the next couple of days, a frontal system moving across the Dakotas into the Midwest will help cause thunderstorms in those areas. The Storm Prediction Center has delineated Enhanced Risks of severe weather through tonight for portions of the Northern High Plains and northern Minnesota, and across much of Minnesota tomorrow. Strong winds and hail are the main threats, but tornadoes cannot be ruled out. Additionally, rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible. This could lead to flash flooding, and Slight Risks of excessive rainfall are in place for north-central parts of the country. Scattered thunderstorm activity is also forecast for the Lower/Middle Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys, as well as the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic through Saturday. While these storms are not expected to be severe, flash flooding could be a threat with locally heavy rain. Slight Risks of flash flooding as well as Flash Flood Watches are in effect for western portions of the Ohio Valley and across much of the Mid-Atlantic through tonight. Locally higher rainfall totals could also occur for eastern Oklahoma/western Arkansas. On Friday and into Saturday, the Central and Southern Appalachians eastward have Slight Risks of flash flooding in place as upslope flow could enhance rainfall totals in the mountains, and much of the Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic have seen heavy rainfall recently so the ground is saturated. Meanwhile farther west, hot and mainly dry conditions are expected, though afternoon isolated storms could occur in the Southwest to the Southern/Central High Plains. Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories stretch from California through the Desert Southwest and into the Southern Plains, as temperatures above 100 degrees will be widespread, with temperatures over 110 degrees in the Desert Southwest. Dozens of record high minimum and maximum temperatures should be tied or set for those areas through the weekend (and beyond). After a cool day today in the northwestern U.S., the upper-level ridge building will mean hot temperatures spread to the Pacific Northwest especially by Saturday. Another threat expected is fire danger, and Elevated to Critical Risks have been outlooked by the Storm Prediction Center for portions of the Great Basin into much of Wyoming through Friday. Red Flag Warnings are also in effect. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php