Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 426 AM EDT Sat Sep 24 2022 Valid 12Z Sat Sep 24 2022 - 12Z Mon Sep 26 2022 ...First taste of autumnal weather in the eastern U.S. this weekend will be followed by unsettled weather on Monday... ...Blustery northwest winds from the outer edge of Fiona brush up against eastern Maine today... ...Heat is expected over southern Plains for the next couple of days... The weekend will begin with a fresh surge of cool Canadian air providing the first taste of fall weather along the East Coast while an exceptionally intense storm impacts the Canadian Maritimes. This storm, which originated from the powerful category-4 Hurricane Fiona, is forecast to bring blustery winds across Maine today. In contrast, light winds associated with a cool high pressure system is providing favorable conditions for frost to form this morning across portions of the interior Northeast. Farther upstream, showers and a few thunderstorms ahead of a weak low pressure system are expected to spread eastward across the Great Lakes through Sunday. This system is forecast to gradually develop and expand as it moves through the Great Lakes region. The pleasant fall weather along the East Coast today will give way to a gradual expansion of unsettled weather later this weekend and into Monday especially over the Northeast. Meanwhile, an amplifying ridge in the West will allow for sunny/clear skies and above normal temperatures for the region this weekend. The southern Plains will experience a couple more days of heat under the eastern edge of the ridge where high temperatures reaching into the upper 90's could challenge some daily records. Over southern portions of Florida, a stalled out front will provide the focus for isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms this weekend. By Monday, attention will be drawn to the Caribbean Sea where Tropical storm Ian is currently forecast to intensify into a hurricane and move toward western Cuba. The outer rainbands associated with Ian could reach the Keys and southern Florida later on Monday with a passing heavy downpour and gusty winds. Kong Graphics are available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php