Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 357 PM EST Thu Nov 07 2013 Valid 00Z Fri Nov 08 2013 - 00Z Sun Nov 10 2013 ...Rain and snow expected to impact the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies... ...Cold conditions will settle along the eastern half of the nation... ...Snow and snow showers anticipated across the Great Lakes... The storm system moving into the Pacific Northwest strengthened impressively overnight Wednesday into Thursday and is currently moving onto land. In addition, the mid-level low completely closed off on Thursday morning and is also moving over the Pacific Northwest. The occluded front is expected to continue progressing inland towards the Northern Rockies and bringing with it a swath of precipitation. The precipitation associated with the system moving across the Pacific Northwest will continue throughout Thursday but will mainly be a rainfall event. However, snow is expected to fall in the higher elevations of the Cascades. The occluded front will accelerate quickly to the Northern Rockies by Friday morning and will arrive in the Northern Plains by Saturday morning. Scattered showers will advance with the front; the heavier precipitation will fall along and ahead of the boundary with snow showers expected north of the front. By Saturday evening, the surface boundary will be draped over the Great Lakes and shall continue with its eastward trek. With the cold front departing the East Coast on Thursday afternoon, clearing skies and blustery winds will follow suit behind the front. A surface high will settle over the area and below average temperatures will ensue. These conditions will be much colder than the seasonable temperatures the East Coast has experienced last few days and will last into the weekend. The central and southern U.S. will remain relatively quiet throughout most of the short term period. However, high temperatures will be well above normal for the central Plains ahead of the aforementioned cold front affecting the Northern Plains. Ripe conditions will set up along the Great Lakes for snow and rain showers through Friday night and into Saturday morning. Fanning Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php