Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 304 PM EST Sat Nov 16 2013 Valid 00Z Sun Nov 17 2013 - 00Z Tue Nov 19 2013 ***Wintry weather expected for the Rockies and Cascades*** ***Severe weather possible on Sunday ahead of cold front*** ***Warmer in the East and colder in the West*** An active weather pattern is expected to continue through Sunday for the Pacific Northwest and Central/Northern Rockies. A very strong upper level jet stream oriented along the west coast of Canada, along with mid-level shortwave energy, will help develop an upper level trough over the Western U.S. Colder temperatures and plenty of mountain snow can be expected, and winter storm warnings are in effect for some of these mountainous areas. A strong cold front developing over the Plains is forecast to move eastward towards the East Coast by Monday morning, and this will likely result in the development of strong and severe thunderstorms from the Deep South to the Lower Great Lakes region. Increasing dewpoints and a strong low level jet will interact with increasing shear in the atmosphere, and these are favorable conditions for severe weather. A band of showers and embedded thunderstorms is also expected for the East Coast states, however these storms are expected to weaken. In the temperature department, expect colder than average conditions from the Rockies westward, and warmer conditions east of the Mississippi River. The mild weather should last through Monday, before the cold front brings another round of below-average temperatures. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php