Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 PM EDT Fri Sep 06 2024 Valid 00Z Sat Sep 07 2024 - 00Z Mon Sep 09 2024 ...Dangerous heat will continue to impact portions of the West into this weekend... ...Heavy rain and flash flooding are likely along the Central Gulf Coast and Southeast over the next few days... In the West, a strong upper level ridge will remain overhead through Saturday, resulting in well above average and potentially dangerous temperatures for portions of the West. High temperatures will once again reach the triple digits in the Southwest and parts of interior California on Saturday, and highs could exceed 110 degrees in the hottest locations of the Desert Southwest. Temperatures will be heating up in the interior Northwest as well, with widespread high temperatures well into the 90s. These temperatures will result in a moderate to extreme HeatRisk, and this level of heat is dangerous for anyone without adequate cooling or hydration. Residents and visitors are advised to follow proper heat safety, which includes checking on vulnerable individuals. Poor air quality will also remain an issue throughout parts of the Northwest as wildfire smoke continues to plague the region. Temperatures should decrease across the West Sunday into Monday as the ridge shifts east over the Central United States, and scattered light showers and storms will be possible as a weak upper level wave moves across the region. In the eastern half of the nation, a fall-like airmass will move into place behind a cold front that will move towards the East Coast on Saturday. Below normal temperatures are forecast from the eastern Plains to the East Coast this weekend, with high temperatures reaching as low as 10-20 degrees below normal in some areas. Highs will generally be in the 60s and 70s for most of the central and eastern U.S., and in the 80s for the South and Southeast. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible along the front as it moves through the East, but strong high pressure will result in dry conditions behind the front. Heavy precipitation will be confined to the Central Gulf Coast and the Southeast where a lingering stationary front will trigger showers and storms through the weekend and early next week. Heavy rain may result in scattered instances of flash flooding, especially if rain falls in areas that already received heavy rain over the past few days. Remember, it is never safe to walk or drive into flood waters, and most flood fatalities occur in vehicles... turn around, don't drown! Dolan Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php