Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 1028 AM EDT Wed Apr 17 2013 Valid 12Z Wed Apr 17 2013 - 12Z Fri Apr 19 2013 ***Widespread heavy rainfall for the central U.S.*** ***Snow still in the forecast for parts of the High Plains*** ***Warm and humid weather for the Southeast U.S.*** A developing wave of low pressure over the Southern Rockies will lift northward to the Upper Midwest by Thursday. This surface low is forecast to intensify and bring a warm front northward over the Great Lakes. Likewise, the associated cold front will continue marching eastward into the Southern Plains and Midwest. Widespread moderate to heavy rain will accompany the front in an axis oriented along the Mississippi River, with some rainfall totals in excess of three inches possible by the end of the workweek. Numerous strong to severe thunderstorms are also likely to develop within the warm sector of this storm system. Upper-level energy moving across the Inter-Mountain West is expected to result in the development of moderate snow over parts of the Northern and Central High Plains into Wednesday afternoon. By Wednesday night, the snow will likely reach the Upper Midwest. In the temperature department, warm and humid weather is expected for the rest of the work week for the Southeast, Deep South, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic as sustained southerly flow from the Gulf of Mexico keeps temperatures above normal by mid-April standards. After the passage of the cold front, a sharp drop in temperatures is likely as a strong ridge of Canadian high pressure moves to the Eastern U.S. by the weekend. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php