Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 359 AM EST Sat Nov 16 2013 Valid 12Z Sat Nov 16 2013 - 12Z Mon Nov 18 2013 ...Gusty winds and heavy snows continue over the Cascades and Rockies... ...Strong to severe thunderstorms will be possible ahead of cold front crossing the Eastern half of the Nation... Strong winds and heavy snows will continue over the Cascades and Northern Rockies into Saturday morning...as a vigorous piece of energy aloft dives through the region. The widespread snow shower activity should begin to spread southeastward across the Central Rockies...eventually leading to snowfall accumulations approaching a foot over the favored peaks of the higher terrain. Conditions should begin to improve across the Rockies for the later half of the weekend as the vigorous energy aloft progresses east...but unsettled weather will continue over the Pacific Northwest where flattening flow will keep Pacific moisture streaming inland. Widespread showers and thunderstorms will begin to breakout ahead of a strengthening cold front pushing through the eastern half of the U.S. this weekend. Increasing amounts of Gulf moisture funneling northward should fuel an organized axis of storms while the front crosses the Great Lakes and Middle Mississippi Valley on Saturday...and then activity should shift east as the front approaches the Appalachians on Sunday. The quick progression of the front should limit any flash flood threat...however...heavy rains and severe weather are expected within developing storms. Also...a surface low along the boundary will quickly intensify while lifting out of the Upper Mississippi Valley Sunday night into Monday...bringing strong and gusty winds across the Great Lakes region. Gerhardt Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php