Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 408 AM EDT Wed Aug 26 2020 Valid 12Z Wed Aug 26 2020 - 12Z Fri Aug 28 2020 ...Dangerous Hurricane Laura to strengthen and strike the western Gulf Coast Wednesday night with life threatening storm surge, destructive winds, battering surf, and flooding rains expected... ...Raging wildfires continue in the West, increased risk for more dry thunderstorms and additional fires through mid week... ...Late season heat wave in the Midwest, showers and severe storms to develop over the Northern Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast... Hurricane Laura has taken center stage as it rapidly intensifies in the Gulf of Mexico this morning. Laura looks to make landfall as a major hurricane Wednesday night somewhere between the Upper Texas Coast to southwest Louisiana. No matter the exact maximum wind speed or category at landfall, the resulting impacts and hazards will be extensive. A life threatening storm surge looks to transpire along and just east of Laura's track. In fact, storm surge related impacts could stretch from as far west as Galveston Bay on east to the central Gulf Coast. Hurricane force winds will cause damage to homes and businesses, as well as widespread tree damage and power outages. Coastal and inland flooding is also anticipated with Moderate Risks for flash flooding from the Texas/Louisiana border on north through Arkansas and into portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley. Torrential rainfall with 5 to 10 inches of rain (isolated totals up to 15 inches) are expected along the northwest Gulf Coast on north into eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Severe weather will also be a concern as tornadoes could spawn across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley Wednesday night and into Thursday. Note that tropical storm force winds protrude well away from Laura's center thus allowing the potential swath of wind damage and power outages to extend well into Louisiana and potentially into southern Arkansas. Residents within Laura's reach should continue should monitor the storm's progress and follow the advice of local officials. Farther west, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected through midweek from the Pacific Northwest and Northern California to the Northern Rockies. Unfortunately, many of these storms are expected to be fast moving and are not forecast to produce beneficial rainfall amounts. In addition, frequent lightning strikes may only worsen the ongoing wildfire situation in the West through Thursday. Air Quality Alerts are scattered throughout the West due to ongoing particulate pollution from the vast blanket of smoke aloft. Abnormally hot conditions will also be a concern across much of the West with temperatures remaining above normal through Thursday. Excessive Heat Warnings for dangerously hot conditions remain in effect along the southern Colorado River Basin and across much of southern Arizona - where temperatures are expected to soar well above 100 degrees through Thursday. A late season heat wave engulfs the Midwest and central High Plains through Thursday. Some daily record high temperatures could be broken in parts of the Midwest, Rockies and Southwest through Friday. A series of frontal boundaries will keep severe storms in the forecast on today and Thursday from the Northern Plains and Midwest to the northern Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Thursday. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php