


Prognostic Meteorological Discussion
Issued by NWS
Issued by NWS
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606 FXUS01 KWBC 040757 PMDSPD Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 356 AM EDT Sat Oct 04 2025 Valid 12Z Sat Oct 04 2025 - 12Z Mon Oct 06 2025 ...Record high temperatures likely across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Saturday... ...A series of cold fronts moving across the West will bring much cooler temperatures, locally heavy rain, and mountain snow... ...Heavy rain and isolated flash flooding possible along the east coast of Florida and the central Gulf Coast... A stronger than typical ridge aloft (for this time of year) will allow for another day of above normal temperatures across most areas east of the Rockies on Saturday. Temperatures will be most anomalous across the Upper Midwest today, where temperatures could even reach the low 90s in places like Minneapolis, where average highs are in the 60s. Both high temperatures and warm minimum temperatures could set numerous records, and HeatRisk shows Major conditions for much of Minnesota, indicating the heat could affect anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems and industries. Highs in the 80s are likely across the Great Lakes to Northeast through the weekend, but a cold front will gradually sneak across the Midwest and cool temperatures there slightly by Sunday but especially by Monday. Farther west, an upper low is forecast to move across the Intermountain West today, with upper troughing getting renewed there into early next week. These disturbances aloft will push cold fronts through the West and allow for cooler than average temperatures, particularly in the Great Basin today and into the northern Rockies and vicinity Sunday. Highs should feel particularly cool, around 10-20 degrees below average, with many lower elevation areas only reaching the 50s. Lows should generally be closer to normal, but Freeze Watches are in effect for portions of Oregon and in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado where temperatures could fall to 32 degrees or below. Additionally, precipitation is likely for the interior West in this pattern, with lower elevation rain and higher elevation snow. Locally heavy rain could lead to isolated flooding across parts of the Great Basin today, and a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall is in place. Moderate to heavy precipitation will stretch across the northern Rockies into the northern/central Plains today into tonight. The Storm Prediction Center shows a Marginal Risk of severe weather for potential high wind and hail threats across the central Rockies and the central and northern Plains with this activity. In higher elevations, the cool temperatures will allow for mountain snow, with 6 to 12 inches generally forecast for areas of Montana and Wyoming through Sunday night, prompting Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories. By Sunday, the cold front continuing eastward will focus some heavy rain and possibly severe thunderstorms in the central Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley. Gusty southerly winds and warm temperatures ahead of the cold front could also lead to elevated fire weather concerns in the central/northern Plains today and into the Midwest on Sunday. A weak surface low and frontal boundary with weak energy aloft will nevertheless provide support for rain and thunderstorms across Florida and across the central Gulf Coast to the south of an expansive surface high. Easterly flow will lead to some rainfall focus over the east coast of Florida, and heavy rain could also sneak onshore to the central Gulf Coast and allow for isolated flooding concerns due to high rain rates. Marginal Risks of excessive rainfall are in place over the weekend in both areas. Gusty winds may lead to concerns for mariners and beachgoers, with rip currents and high surf possible. Tate Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php $$