EXTENDED FORECAST DISCUSSION NWS WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER COLLEGE PARK MD 1018 AM EDT TUE AUG 26 2014 VALID 12Z FRI AUG 29 2014 - 12Z TUE SEP 02 2014 THE 00Z/26 ENSEMBLE MEANS FROM THE VARIOUS MODELING CENTERS FORTUNATELY PAINT THE SAME SYNOPTIC PICTURE AT THE MEDIUM RANGE, INSTILLING GREATER THAN AVERAGE CONFIDENCE WITH THE LARGER SCALE FEATURES. THE 00Z/26 ECMWF CAME CLOSEST TO THE MEANS OF THE OPERATIONAL MODELS, SO USED A LIBERAL PORTION OF ITS MASS FIELDS IN THE MANUAL BLEND FOR FRONTS AND PRESSURES. THE MESSAGE IS RISING HEIGHTS IN THE EAST--WITH A COMMENSURATE RETREAT OF THE POLAR FRONT--AND A SOUTHWARD-FROM-NORMAL DISPLACED POLAR JET OVER THE WEST. IN THE MIDDLE IS WHERE ALL THE MOISTURE CONVERGES, WITH THE ECMWF SUGGESTING THAT SEVERAL INCHES OF RAINFALL ARE IN STORE FROM THE CENTRAL GULF COAST TO THE UPPER MIDWEST DAYS 3 THROUGH 7. LESSER AMOUNTS ARE ANTICIPATED IN THE WASHINGTON OLYMPICS AND CASCADES, WITH NO SIGN OF A LINGERING MONSOON FOR THE FAR SOUTHWEST. CISCO