Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 358 PM EDT Tue Oct 22 2019 Valid 00Z Wed Oct 23 2019 - 00Z Fri Oct 25 2019 ...Heavy snow possible Wednesday into Thursday for portions of central Colorado... ...Cold front to bring gusty winds and fire weather concerns to portions of the West... As a strong area of low pressure departs the upper Great Lakes region and weakens tonight, a second storm system will begin impact the central and western U.S. A moderately strong cold front will cross Montana tonight with light rain changing to light snow and minor accumulations by Wednesday evening. A High Wind Warning is also in effect for portions of west-central Montana for winds of 35-45 mph and gusts up to 60 mph. Mild temperatures will be in place ahead of the cold front from the Four Corners region into the central and southern Plains on Wednesday, but as the front rapidly surges south through Thursday, temperatures will fall and winds will increase. Heavy snow is possible for the Central and Southern Range Foothills into the Palmer Divide with snow beginning Wednesday evening. Four to eight inches of snow are expected for the Front Range with higher totals closer to a foot into the Foothills. Across the West Coast, fire weather concerns will increase, especially for California, as low relative humidities combine with gusty winds with the arrival of a strong ridge of high pressure settling into the Great Basin. The two main areas of concern are central to northern California beginning Wednesday afternoon and increasing threats for southern California on Thursday. Elsewhere across the nation, steady rain will follow with a cold front moving through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast tonight followed by stable high pressure and more pleasant conditions for Wednesday. Many locations east of the Mississippi River will experience slightly below average high temperatures for Wednesday but with some moderation back to near/above normal on Thursday. Otto Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php