Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 353 PM EST Wed Dec 11 2013 Valid 00Z Thu Dec 12 2013 - 00Z Sat Dec 14 2013 ***Very cold weather continues for most of the United States*** ***Lake effect snow showers downwind of the Great Lakes*** ***Developing storm system by the end of the week*** Frigid temperatures that have been present since last week can be expected to continue over the northern tier states of the country through the end of the week. A reinforcing cold front will bring very cold weather to the Eastern U.S. for Thursday with highs in the 20s and 30s along with gusty winds. A moderating trend can be expected by Friday and Saturday as the Arctic surface high modifies. Temperatures are also expected to gradually get warmer over the Inter-Mountain West through the end of the week. A series of clipper systems will move across the Great Lakes and New England, which will generate periods of lake effect snow downwind from the Lakes through Thursday. Localized snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches are possible in the heaviest snow bands. Over the Pacific Northwest, shortwave energy moving into British Columbia can be expected to produce periods of light to moderate rain along the coast and snow at higher elevations by Thursday evening. Some snow showers can also be expected for the Northern Rockies. By Friday afternoon, a developing surface low over the Southern Plains is expected to generate showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms near the western Gulf Coast. This feature is forecast to result in widespread rainfall for the Deep South and Southeast states by this weekend. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php