Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 406 AM EDT Sat Aug 03 2024 Valid 12Z Sat Aug 03 2024 - 12Z Mon Aug 05 2024 ...A dangerous heat wave shifts from the Paciifc Northwest to the Great Plains... ...Stormy conditions and flash flood potential across portions of the Eastern U.S. this weekend... ...Potential Tropical Cylone Four will bring hazardous rainfall, strong winds and life threatening storm surge inundation to portions of Florida this weekend... Upper-level ridging over the West will promote above average temperatures across the region this weekend. Upper troughing over the East Pacific will work in combination with the Western ridge to produce high temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s across much of the Northwest into the Northern/Central Plains today. Warm overnight lows in the upper 60s to low 70s will represent 20-30 degree anomalies for much of the Northern Great Basin/Rockies/High Plains tonight. The lack of overnight relief from the heat will affect anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. A small bit of mid-level energy will contribute to a severe thunderstorm threat over the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest this afternoon/evening. Damaging winds, isolated Flash Flooding and hail will be the primary threats there. Shortwave energy spinning across the northern periphery of a mid-level closed high pressure bubble will bring some scattered showers, thunderstorms and cooler temperatures to the northern tier of the country beginning on Sunday. Meanwhile, warm air shifts into the Central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley through early next week. Elsewhere, upper troughing over the Ohio/Tennessee Valley will promote scattered thunderstorms up and down the East Coast today. Slight Risks of Excessive Rainfall and Severe Thunderstorms are in effect from the Tri-State area down to the Florida Panhandle. Damaging wind gusts and Flash Flooding will be the primary concerns from these storms. Some lingering showers and thunderstorms are expected on Sunday with only an isolated threat of severe storms and Flash Flooding across the coastal Mid-Atlantic/Northeast. Tropical Depression Four is forecast to strengthen into a Tropical Storm as it tracks west of the Florida Peninsula this weekend. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and life threatening storm surge inundation are all possible along the western coast of the state beginning today. Heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surge are also possible over northern Florida and the Southeast U.S. Coast Sunday evening into early next week. Tropical Storm Warnings and Storm Surge Watches are in effect along Florida's Gulf Coast while Tropical Storm Watches extend farther out across the other Gulf Coast states. For more information go to hurricanes.gov. Kebede Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php