642 FXUS01 KWBC 092001 PMDSPD Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 PM EDT Fri Oct 09 2026 Valid 00Z Sat Oct 10 2026 - 00Z Mon Oct 12 2026 ...Hurricane Isaias forecast to make landfall along the central Gulf Coast later tonight bringing life-threatening storm surge to the coast as well as damaging winds and flash flooding into the Southeast and Appalachians... ...Moisture from Tropical Storm Rachel will bring heavy rain, flash flooding, and high winds to Southern California, the Southwest, and Great Basin late Saturday into Sunday... ...First winter storm of the season forecast for the northern Rockies this weekend... A very active and dangerous period of weather is in store this weekend from coast to coast with multiple tropical systems and a winter storm bringing both widespread and wide-ranging impacts. Hurricane Isaias is forecast to make landfall along the central Gulf Coast tonight, most likely along the western Florida Panhandle, with related impacts spreading well inland across the Southeast and Appalachians this weekend. Life-threatening storm surge is expected along the Mouth of the Mississippi River to Suwanee, Florida. Extremely dangerous and damaging hurricane force winds are expected over portions of the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama, and southern Mississippi. Damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall are also likely over a large portion of the Southeast and into the Appalachians. A Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall (level 3/4) is in effect for the Florida Panhandle as well as portions of southern Alabama and southwestern Georgia today, with another Moderate Risk for portions of northern Georgia into western South and North Carolina Saturday, for the threat of scattered to widespread instances of flash flooding. Landslides are also possible for the southern Appalachians. Broader Slight Risks cover much of the Southeast and southern Appalachians for more scattered instances of flash flooding. The potential for tornadoes will increase through tonight and into tomorrow with Slight Risks from the Storm Prediction Center (level 2/5) for both days from the Florida Panhandle into Georgia and South Carolina. The greatest threat will be just east of the center from the Florida Panhandle into portions of southern Georgia. Locally heavy rainfall will spread northward on Sunday into portions of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic with some isolated flash flooding possible. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rachel in the Pacific will approach southern California late Saturday night bringing a threat for heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and strong winds both across southern California and as the remnants spread inland through the Desert Southwest and Great Basin. Moderate Risks of Excessive Rainfall are now in effect for the Peninsular Ranges vicinity and immediate adjacent deserts in southern California Saturday, and for portions of the Colorado River Valley into southwestern Utah Sunday, for the threat of scattered to widespread flash flooding, particularly for terrain sensitive areas. Broader Slight Risks cover southern California and portions of the Desert Southwest Saturday and the Great Basin Sunday. The heavy rainfall/flash flood threat is expected to continue into Monday beyond the current forecast period. The gusty wind threat will extend well inland through portions of the Desert Southwest and Great Basin as well, with the highest gusts most likely for the higher terrain. To the north, a seasonably deep upper-low will move into the Northwest/northern Rockies with snow forecast for the northern Rockies. The heaviest snow is expected for higher mountain elevations with totals of 6-12", locally higher, possible. Some snow is also expected for lower valley elevations as well as the immediate High Plains east of the Rockies, with some lighter accumulations expected. The snow should taper off later Sunday into Monday. A significant change is in store temperature-wise over the western U.S. following a period of well above average conditions including excessive heat for portions of California and the Desert Southwest. Following one more day of widespread highs in the 80s (with 90s to 100s in the Desert), the noted deep-upper low and associated cold front will bring much cooler temperatures southward through the weekend. Highs only in the 40s to low 60s will spread through the Northwest/Northern Rockies and northern California Saturday, with highs falling into the 50s and 60s for the Great Basin/coastal California and 70s to low 80s for the Desert Southwest/central California Sunday. Some Frost/Freeze-related Advisories and warnings are in effect for portions of the Northwest as lows fall into the 30s. Conditions will remain well above average over much of the central U.S. with widespread highs into the 80s and even low 90s for the northern/central Plains into the Upper Midwest and 90s for the southern Plains. Some near-record tying/breaking highs will be possible. The cold front in the west will bring much colder temperatures in the 40s to portions of the northern High Plains Sunday. For the East, highs will vary around average with more relatively cooler temperatures in vicinity of the widespread clouds/rain associated with Isaias. Forecast highs are generally in the 70s for the Southeast with 60s for the Northeast. Putnam Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php $$