Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 356 AM EDT Mon Oct 5 2020 Valid 12Z Mon Oct 5 2020 - 12Z Wed Oct 7 2020 ...Tropics becoming active and heavy rainfall for portions of Florida near a front... ...Mainly tranquil weather pattern for most of the nation... A relatively quiet weather pattern will be in place across the majority of the continental U.S. through Tuesday with pleasant autumnal weather for much of the central and eastern U.S. and little in the way of rainfall. It will also continue to be dry for the western U.S., except above normal temperatures are expected to continue as the upper level ridge continues to hold strong over the region. In addition, there are air quality alerts in effect for portions of California owing to smoke from the ongoing wildfires. Red flag warnings are also in effect for portions of the Rockies and the western High Plains given the very dry and breezy conditions. The area with the most disturbed weather will be across Florida and over the Gulf of Mexico. Deep moisture pooling along a stalled frontal boundary across the Florida Peninsula may result in episodes of heavy rainfall, and flood watches are in effect for portions of the state. Of even greater interest is the increasing activity in the Tropics, with Tropical Storm Gamma and a new tropical depression near Jamaica. The latter system is expected to develop into a hurricane over the next couple of days and head towards the northwest, and will likely have impacts for portions of the Gulf Coast beyond this forecast period. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php