Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 341 PM EDT Thu Aug 20 2020 Valid 00Z Fri Aug 21 2020 - 00Z Sun Aug 23 2020 ...Slow moderation with the record heat continues in the western U.S. but fire danger remains a threat... ...Scattered showers and thunderstorms will persist for the coming days across the southeastern quadrant of the country... An upper-level high located over the Southwestern U.S. has weakened slightly, allowing the record heat to become less intense across much of the West. Slightly cooler air filtering into the northwestern U.S. behind a Pacific cold front will also keep temperatures from reaching record levels for the next couple of days. On the other hand, dry thunderstorms triggered ahead of the cold front will continue the wildfire threat across the Great Basin and northern Rockies today, before easing off somewhat on Friday. In addition, some areas of California and Colorado have Air Quality Alerts in place due to smoke from ongoing fires. Red flag warnings continue through tonight across parts of the Rockies/Intermountain West, while excessive heat warnings are in place across much of the Southwest through Friday. In the East, cooler than normal temperatures will continue due to persistent upper level troughing. A stalled front interacting with tropical moisture will keep chances high for showers and storms across the Southeast and Florida, and into the Mid-Atlantic the next few days. Locally heavy rainfall within stronger thunderstorms is possible, although a widespread flash flood threat is not likely. WPC highlights much of this area within a marginal risk, with a small slight risk across portions of central Alabama into the Southern Appalachians through tonight. Kong/Santorelli Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php