Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 454 PM EDT Sat Oct 12 2013 Valid 00Z Sun Oct 13 2013 - 00Z Tue Oct 15 2013 ***Gradually improving weather for the Mid-Atlantic states*** ***Valley rain and mountain snow for the Inter-Mountain West*** ***Rain and thunderstorms return to the Southern Plains*** After several days of persistent rainfall and widespread low clouds, weather conditions are gradually forecast to improve for the Mid-Atlantic region for Sunday and Monday. A decaying low pressure zone east of the Outer Banks will keep the clouds and drizzle around through Saturday night, and more breaks in the clouds should occur on Sunday as drier air works its way into the region. A cold front currently over the Midwest is forecast to move eastward towards the East Coast by Sunday night. Showers and a few thunderstorms are likely ahead of the cold front, with most of the heavier rainfall lifting northward into Canada. This front will also help clear the skies out for the East Coast. Over Texas and into Oklahoma, return flow from the Gulf of Mexico will advect plenty of moisture into the region, ahead of the next developing storm system over the Rockies. Numerous showers and storms are likely to develop south of the warm front. Another snow event is expected for the Northern Rockies on the northwest side of the developing surface low. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php