Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 456 PM EDT Mon Jun 17 2013 Valid 00Z Tue Jun 18 2013 - 00Z Thu Jun 20 2013 ***Pronounced cold front entering the Western U.S. by mid-week*** ***Showers and thunderstorms from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic*** ***Cooler and drier weather arriving to the Northeast*** The big upper level low that has been over the Northeast Pacific over the past few days is forecast to move slowly eastward to Washington and Oregon by the middle of the week. This feature will result in the development of a surface low over the northern Rockies, along with a strengthening cold front moving into the Inter-Mountain West. With the pressure gradient that develops near the front, expect periods of gusty winds from the Desert Southwest northward to Montana, along with scattered showers and storms in the Rockies. Much cooler weather is expected behind this front, along with a trough along the West Coast. Over the southern U.S., a plethora of Gulf moisture and instability will create an environment conducive to showers and thunderstorms from Texas eastward through the Deep South, and into the Mid-Atlantic region. A few areas of concentrated rainfall are likely over the Southeast states, along with locally strong thunderstorms. A few severe storms will be possible over parts of the central and southern Plains as the strong frontal system out West approaches the region. For the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes, and New England, another round of cooler and drier weather is expected starting Tuesday and lasting through Wednesday as another cold front moves through the region. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php