Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 255 AM EST Tue Jan 21 2014 Valid 12Z Tue Jan 21 2014 - 12Z Thu Jan 23 2014 ***Arctic airmass arriving to the Eastern U.S.*** ***Snow storm for the Mid-Atlantic and New England*** ***Continued dry and warm across the Western U.S.*** The weather pattern across the continental U.S. through the middle of the work week will be featured with a strong upper level ridge across the western states and a large scale trough over the eastern half of the country. Over the West Coast and into the Inter-Mountain West, a very dry weather pattern is expected to continue through Wednesday. The upper level ridge is resulting in widespread sunny to partly cloudy skies, and very pleasant temperatures for this time of year. The bad news here is the ongoing drought is worsening and no significant relief appears in sight this week. On the East Coast, it's a forecast of snow that is making weather headlines. A wave of low pressure is developing along a strong Arctic front currently sinking southward through the Mid-Atlantic, and this is expected to develop into a strong surface low off the coast of New England. This will result in an expanding shield of moderate to locally heavy snow from the central Appalachians to southern New England, including all of the Mid-Atlantic region. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for these areas, where snowfall amounts ranging from a couple of inches to nearly a foot are expected. The greatest totals are likely for southern New England, and gusty winds are likely in this area to accompany the snow. It will be a winter wonderland for these areas. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., another cold front will reinforce the bitterly cold weather across the central and northern U.S. for the middle of the week. This will produce scattered snow showers, but given the lack of any significant moisture source, amounts are expected to be light. A few areas of light snow are also possible over the western High Plains nearly a stationary front. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php