Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 PM EDT Tue Aug 10 2021 Valid 00Z Wed Aug 11 2021 - 00Z Fri Aug 13 2021 ...Strong to severe thunderstorms possible into Wednesday across parts of the upper Midwest to the lower Great Lakes... ...Heat intensifies across the Pacific Northwest while sultry conditions persist across the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic and the mid-section of the country... ...Poor air quality due to wildfire smoke continues in the western and central U.S., monsoon showers and storms to drench parts of the Southwest... The upper Midwest into the lower Great Lakes will remain the prime spot for more episodes of severe weather through tonight and later on Wednesday as multiple upper-level disturbances attempt to converge along a nearly stationary front in the vicinity. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could accompany these thunderstorms. Meanwhile, scattered thunderstorms can be expected from the Midwest to the interior sections of the East Coast including New England, as well as along the Gulf Coast and into Florida for the next couple of days, especially during the afternoon into the evening. Some of these thunderstorms may contain heavy downpours that could result in localized flooding issues. Much of U.S. mainland will remain under the grip of abnormally hot conditions through mid-week. Heat Advisories and some excessive heat warnings have been issued across much of the mid-section of the country and into parts of the the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Across the Pacific Northwest, the heat is expected to intensify over the next few days as afternoon temperatures are forecast to soar above the century mark toward 110 degree at some locations across the interior section. Daytime lows will be quite warm along the West Coast and east of the Mississippi River where numerous record warm minimum temperatures are possible on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Looking further ahead, this heat wave is expected to peak during the second half of the week. Elsewhere, the evolving upper level pattern will favor wildfire smoke from the western U.S. to advance downstream into the central Plains and Midwest, resulting in reduced air quality through today. Smoke refuses to let up from northern California to the central Rockies and High Plains through mid-week. Also, monsoon showers and thunderstorms will be a daily occurrence in the Desert Southwest while keeping the heat at bay. In contrast, temperatures in the northern Plains will remain below normal with multiple passages of dry fronts over the next few days. Kong/Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php