A low pressure system responsible for the inclement weather across the eastern U.S. will be slow to move off the East Coast this weekend and is forecast to linger just offshore into next week.
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Moderate to heavy rain associated with this system will continue to impact the upper Ohio Valley, the central Appalachians and into the northern Mid-Atlantic states today as the system slides generally eastward to reach the Mid-Atlantic coast by this evening.
Rounds of heavy rain north of the storm center will likely lead to scattered instances of flash flooding early today into the afternoon, but should begin to taper off gradually by the evening as the storm center reaches the coast.
This system is forecast to slow down and then linger just off the East Coast for the rest of the Mother's Day Weekend and beyond, making for an extended period of dreary, windy, and showery weather for the Eastern Seaboard.
Gusty east-northeasterly winds will also lead to potential coastal hazards, such as coastal flooding and rip currents, from New Jersey to Delaware.
Due to the combination of thick cloud cover, rain, and gusty northeast winds, much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will experience a chilly weekend with well below average temperatures and highs only into the 50s.
Elsewhere, a deepening upper-level trough and embedded shortwaves entering the Northwest will bring colder air together with unsettled weather into the northern Great Basin/northern Rockies.
Heavy snow is possible across the Cascades and mountainous terrain of Idaho and southwest Montana, where over 6 inches of snow is likely.
Moderate to locally heavy rainfall is possible along coastal sections of the Northwest.
Eventually, as the system emerges into the northern Plains, showers and thunderstorms may develop.
Isolated storms may produce damaging wind gusts and large hail, as well as the chance for isolated flash flooding over the eastern Dakotas into central Nebraska.
Meanwhile, strong and gusty winds are expected to develop across the interior southern half of the western U.S.
behind a cold front.
As the previously mentioned upper-level trough deepens over the West Coast, a downstream ridge will build over the central U.S.
and lead to summer-like heat over parts of the southern Plains before intensifying later this weekend.
Highs will soar into the upper 90s and triple digits throughout the southern High Plains and much of Texas.
Highs into the 90s will expand into the central Plains and lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday.
Meanwhile, heat indices will approach 110 degrees across South Texas.
This early-season heat will potentially break several daily high temperature records and could be dangerous for residents if proper heat safety is not followed.
Overnight temperatures will offer some relief as lows dip into the 70s.
The other aspect of the warm temperatures will be fire weather danger.
For much of the Southwest, southern Rockies, and southern High Plains, gusty winds and extremely low relative humidity will create conditions for wildfires to start easily and spread uncontrollably.
Red Flag Warnings have been issued and expand from the Mojave Desert of California and Nevada to West Texas and southeast Colorado. ■