Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 351 PM EDT Sun Sep 27 2020 Valid 00Z Mon Sep 28 2020 - 00Z Wed Sep 30 2020 ...Elevated to critical fire weather conditions continue across a broad portion of the western U.S. and Plains... ...A strong cold front is set to dispense much below normal temperatures across much of the central U.S.... ...Heavy showers and storms possible in the Plains and Mississippi Valley today, then across the eastern U.S. during the first half of the week... Fire weather remains a concern across portions of the western U.S., with Red Flag Warnings in effect across a large portion of California, as well as parts of Oregon, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. High pressure building across the western U.S. is expected to support offshore winds, promoting critical fire weather conditions across much of Northern California, as well as the coastal ranges in Southern California. Fire weather conditions are expected to remain a concern for these areas in California through Monday. In addition to sharply cooler temperatures, gusty winds behind a strong cold front sweeping through the Plains has prompted wind advisories for Sunday evening into the overnight across a large portion of the Plains. Dry and windy conditions continuing into Monday are expected to elevate fire weather concerns along the High Plains, especially from eastern Wyoming to the Texas Panhandle. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue developing along and behind the front as it drops from the central Plains and mid Mississippi valley into the southern Plains and lower Mississippi valley this evening. Some of these storms may become strong to severe, with the potential for large hail, especially across portions of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas later today. Showers and storms are expected to advance east with the cold front, extending from the Great Lakes to the central Gulf Coast on Monday, before reaching the eastern U.S. on Tuesday. The front is forecast to slow as it moves into the eastern U.S. on Tuesday, which along with increasing moisture ahead of it, will raise the threat for heavy rainfall accumulations spreading north from the Southeast into the Mid-Atlantic by late Tuesday. Prior to the front's arrival, above-normal temperatures will continue through Monday from the upper Ohio valley and northern Mid-Atlantic, while persisting through Tuesday across the Northeast. Following a day of well-above normal temperatures, Monday is forecast to be sharply cooler across the southern Plains and Rockies. At to below-normal temperatures are forecast across most of the Plains and Midwest on Monday, before shifting farther east through the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and central Gulf Coast states on Tuesday. Pereira Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php