Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 242 AM EST Wed Nov 6 2013 Valid 12Z Wed Nov 6 2013 - 12Z Fri Nov 8 2013 ***Widespread rain with cold front over Eastern U.S.*** ***Strong storm system to affect the Pacific Northwest*** ***More mild weather for the East Coast*** There are two primary weather systems that are noteworthy over the next couple of days. The first one is a large upper level trough along with a surface cold front that will move steadily eastward across the eastern half of the country. Ahead of the cold front, moisture will surge northward from the Gulf of Mexico and allow for widespread light to moderate rain to develop. Given limited instability with this system, thunderstorms should be isolated at best, with more thunderstorm activity near the Gulf Coast. On the northwest side of the surface low, light to moderate snow is expected over parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Michigan through early Wednesday. The other system will be affecting the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, and entering the Northern Rockies by Friday morning. A surface low is forecast to intensify as the system approaches the coast, bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall to Washington and Oregon, and snow to the higher elevations of the Cascades. Gusty winds are also likely with this system. Rain and higher elevation snow is also expected to develop over parts of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming as the system moves inland. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php