Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 PM EDT Sat Sep 12 2020 Valid 00Z Sun Sep 13 2020 - 00Z Tue Sep 15 2020 ...Sally to strengthen as it approaches the central Gulf Coast generating a myriad of weather hazards that include life-threatening storm surge, battering surf, inland flooding, hurricane force winds, and severe weather... ...Showers and thunderstorms sweep across the Eastern U.S. Sunday and into Monday; cooler temperatures return to the Great Lakes and Northeast early week... ...Hot temperatures across the northern Intermountain West and Plains; fire weather to remain a concern in California and parts of the Great Basin... Newly named Tropical Storm Sally is west of the Everglades this afternoon after soaking the Keys in torrential rainfall this morning. Sally is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and take aim at the central Gulf Coast in a couple days. There is the potential for this storm to get its act together, and rapid intensification prior to landfall cannot be ruled out. Impacts from Sally could be felt along the central Gulf Coast as early as Sunday evening as rain bands reach the coast of the Florida Panhandle. While exact intensity at landfall remains unclear, the storm is expected to go from a steady forward speed over the next 36 hours to a slow crawl along the central Gulf Coast late Monday and into mid-week. This maximizes the threat for prolific rainfall amounts as rain bands containing torrential rainfall rates train overhead, making for a dangerous setup for inland flooding. In addition, steady onshore tropical storm and hurricane force winds on Sally's eastern flank could prolong the storm surge threat late Monday into early Tuesday. In addition to the water-related hazards, howling hurricane force winds should induce power outages, downed trees, and damage to buildings. Also, tornadoes could also develop and threaten parts of the Deep South. Please see the latest Tropical Weather Outlook from the National Hurricane Center for additional and updated information across this area. Residents within Sally's reach should monitor the storm's progress and follow the advice of local officials. Meanwhile, an occluded low pressure system will track through the Great Lakes tonight pushing its associated cold front across the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys tonight and into early Sunday. Marginal risks for both severe weather and flash flooding have been posted in portions of the Lower Great Lakes and Mid-South this evening. The cold front then heads for the Appalachians Sunday afternoon forming showers and thunderstorms that extend from the Tennessee Valley on north to the Northeast. The front then works its way into the Southeast on Monday with spotty showers and thunderstorms expected. High pressure builds in behind the cold front ushering in drier and cooler conditions throughout the Great Lakes and Northeast. Speaking of temperatures, the hottest temperatures Sunday are expected to be located across the interior Pacific Northwest/Northern Intermountain Region where strong upper-level ridging force temperature anomalies to range between 10 to 15 degrees above average normal. As the ridge moves east on Monday, so does the the dome of above normal temperatures as the Northern Plains get the brunt of the heat. Highs in parts of eastern Montana could reach the mid 90s (roughly 15-20 degrees above normal). Lastly, the fire weather forecast for Sunday remains at elevated to critical levels in portions of the West. An approaching Pacific system will bring with it an increase in humidity levels and a chance for beneficial rainfall to the Pacific Northwest late Monday into Tuesday, but much of California and the Great Basin will remain dry and breezy. This likely means more problematic fire weather conditions in these areas the first half of the week. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php