Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 237 AM EST Thu Jan 16 2014 Valid 12Z Thu Jan 16 2014 - 12Z Sat Jan 18 2014 ...Parade of clipper systems will continue to impact the north central U.S.... ...Dry conditions will persist out West... Gusty winds and light snows will continue to surround a clipper system dropping through the Upper Great Lakes on Thursday...and a shot of arctic air will move in behind the system's cold front pushing through the Ohio...Tennessee...and Lower Mississippi Valleys. A lack of moisture should limit any widespread significant accumulations; however...strong winds over relatively warmer lake waters will enhance snowfall amounts downwind of the Great Lakes. Also...as the system's cold front crosses into the Eastern U.S. on Friday...a surface low developing along the boundary could help boost snowfall along the Central Appalachians. Upstream...yet another clipper system dropping down through Canada will begin impacting the Upper Midwest with an additional round of snow and gusty winds early Saturday. Out West...a strong upper ridge anchored over the Eastern Pacific/West Coast will keep locations west of the Continental Divide precipitation free late this week and into the weekend. The combination of gusty winds...above normal temperatures...and the persistently dry conditions will pose a risk for wildfires across portions of California. Gerhardt Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php