Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 303 AM EDT Fri Jun 4 2021 Valid 12Z Fri Jun 4 2021 - 12Z Sun Jun 6 2021 ...Early season heatwave across the north-central states... ...Additional heavy rain for portions of the Gulf Coast... Impressive early season heat is expected across much of the northern tier of the U.S. for Friday and extending into Saturday as a large upper level ridge dominates the weather pattern across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Highs well into the 90s and perhaps near 100 degrees are likely across portions of the Dakotas and Minnesota, and this will likely challenge some daily record highs. It will also be quite warm across the Desert Southwest with 100+ degree readings expected for the lower elevations. Some relief is expected for portions of the Pacific Northwest and the Intermountain West by this weekend as a cold front gradually sinks south. It will not be as hot across Texas and the Deep South owing to a weak upper low and abundant cloud cover and rainfall. Another thing making weather headlines to close out the week will be additional heavy rainfall across the central and western Gulf Coast region, particularly along the Interstate 10 corridor between Houston and New Orleans. Moisture rich flow from the Gulf of Mexico will intercept a weak low level boundary over this region, and promote the development of numerous showers and storms through Saturday, with the potential for 2 to 4 inches of rain that may result in some instances of flooding. Moderate to locally heavy rain is also expected along the Southeast U.S. coast and the Florida Peninsula, although the heaviest rain should be offshore by Friday morning. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php