Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 236 AM EST Sat Feb 06 2016 Valid 12Z Sat Feb 06 2016 - 12Z Mon Feb 08 2016 ...Above average temperatures expected today for the northern plains... ...Low pressure system to bring rain, snow, and high winds from the northern Rockies and northern plains... ...Rain and snow possible across portions of the coastal southeastern U.S... A Pacific cold front will move from the northern Rockies into the northern plains today. The system will bring a mix of rain and snow showers, as well as the potential for high winds to the region. High wind watches and warnings have been issued from portions of the northern Rockies to the northern plains, where wind gusts in excess of 60 mph are possible today and Sunday. Ahead of the cold front, warm downslope winds will result in above average temperatures today across the northern plains, where afternoon high temperatures may rise to 15 to 25 degrees above average. As the system moves into the Upper Midwest Saturday night into Sunday morning, snow may combine with wind gusts in excess of 50 mph to produce blizzard conditions for some areas. Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 5 inches are possible across portions of the northern plains and Upper Midwest from this system. The system will continue to move quickly east, spreading areas of snow across much of the Great Lakes Sunday and Sunday night, with a mix of rain and snow possible farther south across the Ohio valley, Appalachians, and the Tennessee valley. An area of low pressure will develop today along a stalled cold front over the Bahamas. This surface low will gradually deepen through tonight as it moves northeastward. On Sunday, the system will begin to undergo a period of more rapid deepening off the Southeast U.S. coastline. While the low pressure system will remain offshore, it is forecast to bring some precipitation to the Southeast U.S. coastal region. Showers and possibly a few thunderstorms are expected across the Florida Peninsula today. Late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, a mix of rain and snow is possible across eastern portions of the Carolinas. Rain will persist across the Outer Banks through Sunday afternoon before the system pulls away Sunday night, bringing an end to precipitation. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php