Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 328 PM EDT Tue Jun 15 2021 Valid 00Z Wed Jun 16 2021 - 00Z Fri Jun 18 2021 ...Dangerous heat to continue across portions of the West and Northern/Central Plains, with record-breaking temperatures and fire danger in some areas... ...Rain and thunderstorms are forecast across Florida over the next couple of days and could produce isolated flash flooding... A strong upper-level ridge centered across the Four Corners region will help sustain a substantial heat wave for the majority of the western U.S. over the next several days, with the northern and central U.S. also seeing periods of hot weather. Temperatures well into the 110s to lower 120s are forecast for the Desert Southwest. Meanwhile over Montana, high temperatures well into the 100s will be as much as 30 degrees above average this afternoon and evening. Dozens (possibly hundreds) of daily record high maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be set over the next few days in California, the Intermountain West, Desert Southwest, Rockies, and central/northern Plains. High temperatures across the lower elevations of the Central Rockies region could even challenge all-time records this afternoon and Wednesday at some locations. By Thursday, the summer heat will push southward into the Central Plains, as well as expanding west into the central valleys of California. Widespread Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories have been issued throughout eight states in the western U.S., from southern California to northeast Montana. Residents enduring the ongoing dangerous stretch of heat are advised to stay indoors and seek air-conditioned buildings, stay hydrated, and take frequent breaks if engaging in outdoor activities. Given the heat, dry conditions, and gusty winds, fire danger is also a concern throughout much of the West, with Critical Risks of fire weather in place this evening across portions of the central Great Basin and Northern Rockies. The exception to the western heat will be the Pacific Northwest, which can expect cooler than average temperatures as well as rain chances tonight behind a cold front. Precipitation should decrease in the Northwest on Wednesday, but winds are likely to strengthen as a low pressure system intensifies in western Canada. The cold front should drop temperatures closer to normal in Montana on Wednesday, while also helping trigger some thunderstorms in the Dakotas and Midwest before reaching the Great Lakes by Thursday. Isolated storms could be strong to severe in these locations. Scattered thunderstorms are likely across the Gulf Coast region over the next couple of days. There is a Slight Risk for severe weather (with gusty winds and hail the main threats) across the coastal Carolinas into tonight. The Florida Peninsula in particular should see good coverage of thunderstorms, with heavy downpours potentially leading to isolated flash flooding. Meanwhile, some showers and thunderstorms are possible in the Northeast this evening as a couple of fronts move through the region, which will also cause below normal and pleasant temperatures through Thursday. Snell/Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php