Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 AM EDT Mon Aug 24 2020 Valid 12Z Mon Aug 24 2020 - 12Z Wed Aug 26 2020 ...Marco to cause heavy rainfall and coastal flooding concerns early week, Laura to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico and pose a significant threat to the Gulf Coast... ...Raging wildfires continue in the West, increased risk for more dry thunderstorms and additional fires through early week... ...Late season heat wave in the Midwest, showers and severe storms storms to develop over the Great Lakes and Northeast... Tropical Storm Marco is on a weakening trend this morning but still poses a threat to the central Gulf Coast today. Hurricane and Tropical Storm Warnings, as well as Storm Surge Warnings and Flash Flood Watches are in place from Louisiana stretching on east to the Florida Panhandle. Locations farther east, such as southern Georgia and South Carolina can expect periods of rain to develop throughout the day with torrential downpours possible in the more intense thunderstorms. Marco is forecast to track west along the Louisiana coast on Tuesday and then end up near the southeast Texas coast on Wednesday. There could still be some locally heavy showers and storms over the Lower Mississippi Valley on Tuesday and as far west as eastern Texas as its remnant moisture sticks around into the middle of the week. While Marco's days as a named storm are numbered Tropical Storm Laura, located just south of Cuba this morning, is poised to track into the Gulf of Mexico Monday night and take aim at the Gulf Coast later this week. Unlike Marco which weakened due to a more hostile environment for development, atmospheric conditions will become increasingly favorable for Laura to intensify as it journeys through the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, Laura is forecast to strengthen and make landfall as a hurricane. There are still questions about Laura's track through the Gulf and its intensity at landfall, but hazards such as storm surge, strong winds, heavy rainfall, and resulting coastal and inland flooding are all likely to occur along the storm's path. Please refer to the National Hurricane Center for the latest advisories and forecast information, and heed any advice given by local government officials. Meanwhile, the devastating wildfires in the West continue with copious amounts of smoke blanketing much of the western half of the country. Red Flag Warnings remain in place across much of northern and central California, as well as southern Oregon and northern Nevada due to favorable conditions for wild fires to develop and spread. More dry thunderstorms are anticipated today which could in turn generate more wildfires. Air quality alerts are also in place throughout parts of the western U.S. and likely will remain in place for some time. In addition to the two tropical systems and raging wildfires in the West, a late season heat wave is taking shape from the northern High Plains and Midwest, then extending into the Great Lakes through mid-week. Daytime highs will soar well into the 90s with some locations surpassing the century mark. Severe weather is also going to be a frequent visitor to the Great Lakes and Northeast regions the first half of the week with a chance for some localized flash flooding also possible. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php