028 FXUS01 KWBC 241945 PMDSPD Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 342 PM EDT Mon Aug 24 2026 Valid 00Z Tue Aug 25 2026 - 00Z Thu Aug 27 2026 ...Dangerous record-breaking heat continues across the south-central U.S. into the Southwest this week... ...Flash flooding and severe weather threats continue across portions of the Southwest and into the Rockies/Plains, Upper Midwest, and Southeast through Wednesday... A strong ridge anchored over the Southwest and south-central U.S. will continue to bring hazardous heat across the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley before gradually expanding into the Southwest by mid-week. Daytime highs will reach 100-110 degrees across the southern Plains, while portions of the Southwest can reach up to 115. Some areas are even expected to break dozens of daily temperature records through the week. Additionally, very warm overnight temperatures will provide limited nighttime relief, leading to widespread Major to Extreme HeatRisk for the next several days. See the latest Key Messages linked at the bottom of the discussion for more information. The western periphery of the ridge will remain a corridor for monsoonal moisture extending northward across the Four Corners and Intermountain West/Rockies. The moisture combined with strong surface heating will lead to scattered thunderstorms across portions of the Southwest, Great Basin, and central Rockies. The strongest storms will be capable of producing severe weather and heavy rainfall, with gusty winds and localized flash flooding possible through Wednesday. Farther north, a progressive westerly flow will persist across the northern Rockies/Plains and Upper Midwest. As the frontal boundary moves eastward, it will interact with warm and unstable air, supporting episodes of organized thunderstorms across parts of the Rockies/Plains into the Upper Midwest. Locally heavy rainfall and severe weather will be possible with stronger storms through Tuesday and Wednesday, especially over the central/southern High Plains. Meanwhile, a surface low and associated frontal boundary will continue to pull away from the Northeast, but reinforcing disturbances will continue to produce scattered showers and thunderstorms across parts of northern New England into Tuesday. Farther south, a trailing slow-moving frontal boundary will drape across the Southeast into the southern Plains, bringing repeated chances for showers and thunderstorms through Wednesday. Warm and moist Gulf air interacting with the nearly stalled front will support the potential for locally heavy rainfall and severe weather. The strongest storms may produce damaging winds and isolated flash flooding, especially across portions of the Lower Mississippi Valley, along the Gulf Coast, and for parts of the Southeast. Miller/Oudit Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php Extreme Heat Key Messages available at: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/key_messages/LatestKeyMessage_1.png $$