Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 438 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2020 Valid 12Z Tue Sep 22 2020 - 12Z Thu Sep 24 2020 ...Tropical Storm Beta is forecast to weaken and gradually lose tropical characteristics while spreading flooding rains further inland across the lower Mississippi Valley... ...Large swells generated by Hurricane Teddy could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast... ...Another frosty morning in parts of the Northeast; warm in the West and the northern Plains as rain moves into the Pacific Northwest... Tropical Storm Beta has made landfall over the middle Texas coast, spreading heavy rain further inland together with strong and gusty winds, and storm surge for the coastal communities. Under the influence of southwesterly winds aloft, Beta is forecast to track slowly toward the east-northeast near or just inland from the upper Texas coast today and much of Wednesday. Meanwhile, a large high pressure system over the eastern U.S. has been feeding cool air into the Deep South. As the cool and stable air continues to filter into the circulation of Beta, the storm is expected to gradually lose tropical characteristics as it moves into southern Louisiana Wednesday night into Thursday. The focus of heavy rain will gradually shift from the circulation of Beta to farther up across the lower Mississippi Valley during the next couple of days. In fact, locally heavy rain is already occurring in Arkansas this morning in association with an upper-level disturbance that is not directly related to Beta. In the meantime, flooding rains are likely to spread slowly northeastward just inland from the upper Texas coast today as Beta interacts with an old frontal boundary that is returning as a warm front. Heavy rain is also possible near the Louisiana coast today ahead of the frontal boundary. Meanwhile, the large and powerful Hurricane Teddy moving northward across the Atlantic Ocean is forecast to transform into a potent post-tropical cyclone as it makes landfall across Nova Scotia early on Wednesday. The expansive circulation of Teddy is expected to bring large swells along the East Coast, together with life-threatening surf and rip currents. In addition to the high seas, Downeast Maine should get some rain and gusty winds from Teddy's western edge today. Elsewhere, a large low pressure system in the northeastern Pacific will bring rain into the Northwest beginning on Wednesday. Some of the rain should reach the northern Rockies on Thursday as the rain continues near the coast. A round of light rain and thunderstorms is possible in the Upper Midwest Wednesday as a front passes through, and isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible in the Four Corners region mainly Tuesday afternoon, some of which could be dry thunderstorms, creating a fire danger threat. The rest of the country should be generally dry. High pressure dominating the eastern U.S. will lead to continued cool temperatures with frost possible once again for portions of New England into the central Appalachians. Temperatures will also dip to record cold levels at some locations. Cool weather is also forecast westward into the Southern Plains under the influence of rain and cloudiness from Beta. Meanwhile, the north-central U.S. in particular can expect above normal temperatures, with some locations approaching 90 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday. Kong/Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php