Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 AM EDT Fri Sep 25 2020 Valid 12Z Fri Sep 25 2020 - 12Z Sun Sep 27 2020 ...Heavy rain associated with Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta to soak parts of the Southeast today, severe storms possible in the Upper Great Lakes... ...Record heat possible in the central and southern High Plains Friday and Saturday... ...Wet and cool conditions persist across the Pacific Northwest; Critical Risk for fire weather in the central Rockies today... Post-Tropical Cyclone Beta continues to inch its way through the Southeast today generating widespread showers and some thunderstorms. Some rainfall could be heavy at times and may lead to localized flash flooding. The area most at risk for potential flash flooding is in the Carolinas where a Slight Risk for excessive rainfall is in place. Thick cloud cover over the region will also help to keep daytime high temps today to remain below normal across much of the southern Mid-Atlantic. Beta is forecast to weaken gradually today and by the weekend, scattered showers associated with Beta's remnant moisture are possible in the Mid-Atlantic on Saturday. Temperatures throughout the Southeast should also moderate to seasonally mild levels on Saturday. A nearby frontal boundary off the Southeast coast and extending south towards the Gulf Coast may trigger isolated showers and thunderstorms Saturday evening and into early Sunday morning. To the north, a frontal passage will spark thunderstorms that could be severe in the northern Great Lakes today. As a result, the Storm Prediction Center has issued a Slight Risk for severe weather in parts of the Upper Great Lakes today. Elsewhere, a hot start to the weekend is in store across the southern and central Plains thanks to upper level ridging aloft and downsloping winds. Some daily record highs could be broken in these regions as high temps could make a run at triple digits in some spots. Abnormally hot conditions are also likely on Saturday across the Midwest with temperature anomalies ranging between 10-15 degrees above normal. While parts of the Heartland soak in some late season summer warmth, a strong cold front sweeping across the Northwest ushers in a reinforcing shot of October-like temperatures. Pacific moisture will also accompany this cold front leading to periods of rain in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies today. Things begin to dry out gradually across the Northwest Saturday, culminating in a mostly dry day on Sunday. Meanwhile, a Critical Risk for fire weather and Red Flag Warnings are in place today over parts of the central Rockies due to gusty winds and low humidity levels. The threat for favorable fire weather conditions today also extends into portions of southern Utah and northern Arizona. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php