Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 422 PM EDT Thu May 2 2013 Valid 00Z Fri May 3 2013 - 00Z Sun May 5 2013 ***Rare May snowstorm beginning to abate over the Upper Midwest*** ***Much colder than average over the Central U.S.*** ***Heavy rain and strong thunderstorms for the Gulf Coast*** A rather unusual weather pattern has become established over much of the Central and Northern U.S. given the time of year. A major surge of cold air is being ushered in with a strong cold front and upper level trough through the Great Plains and into the Upper Midwest. There is enough cold air in place for some additional snow on the northwest side of the precipitation shield, and there are even winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories out for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa through tonight. Having mentioned the strong cold front, temperatures will be at least 10 to 20 degrees below average from Texas to the Dakotas through the end of the week. There will likely be widespread frost for northern and western Texas, and widespread sub-freezing temperatures are expected for overnight lows from Kansas and points northward. Many record low temperatures are expected as a result of this unseasonably cold airmass! Elsewhere, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over the Deep South and into Florida through the end of the week as an deep upper level low becomes detached from the jet stream over Tennessee. In addition, a stubborn surface trough over the northern Gulf of Mexico and into Florida will result in appreciable moisture convergence and lift. Rainfall amounts of several inches are possible where heavy rain persists the longest. Out West, warm weather will be the story for the next few days as offshore flow brings above normal readings to California and hot weather for the Desert Southwest. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php