306 
FXUS01 KWBC 241952
PMDSPD

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
349 PM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Valid 00Z Wed Mar 25 2026 - 00Z Fri Mar 27 2026

...Record-breaking heat expected in the Central and Western U.S.
for the next several days...

...Rain with a possibility of wintry precipitation set to briefly
return to the Northern Rockies on Thursday...

...Strong to severe thunderstorms expected in the Mid-Mississippi
and Ohio Valleys on Thursday...

Temperatures will continue to rise substantially across the
western and central U.S. over the next couple of days as a potent
upper-level ridge remains in place over the Southwest. The ridge
will then propagate eastward through the rest of the week,
reaching the Southern and Central Plains on Wednesday, and the
southeast to end the week. As this heat wave develops and
continues, multiple days of record-breaking temperatures are
expected, particularly in the Southwest and much the Plains.
Temperatures will exceed 100 degrees in the Southwest, and
widespread temperatures above 90 degrees are expected throughout
the Central and Southern Plains. In the Southeast, temperatures
will approach and possibly exceed the 90 degree threshold to end
the week.

More active weather is expected for much of the northern portion
of the country on Thursday, particularly in the Northern
Rockies/Intermountain West, and the Mid-Mississippi/Ohio Valleys.
In a rather drastic change from earlier in the week, cooler
conditions are forecast to return in the Northern Rockies, as a
cold front moves in from the Pacific. This frontal system is
currently forecast to bring precipitation in the form of rain,
along with a possibility of mixed precipitation. Light snowfall is
also expected in the mountains along the Northern Rockies and
parts of the Great Basin.

Meanwhile in the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, a strong and
well-defined cold front will move in from the north beginning on
Wednesday night. Thunderstorms will develop to the southeast of
the front on Thursday, and will continue through the evening and
overnight hours as it moves southeastward. Along with
thunderstorms, strong winds are expected, and a hail and tornado
threat could also emerge. As such, the Storm Prediction Center has
issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe weather for much of the
Mid-Mississippi and Ohio Valleys on Thursday.

Elsewhere, a critical risk of fire is expected for much of Wyoming
on Wednesday, with much of the surrounding areas under an elevated
risk. Low humidity and strong winds off the back of the
aforementioned cold front could cause erratic fire weather, with
conditions possibly continuing into Thursday.


Blanco-Alcala


Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php




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