Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 322 AM EST Thu Jan 23 2014 Valid 12Z Thu Jan 23 2014 - 12Z Sat Jan 25 2014 ***Continued dry and warm across the Western U.S.*** ***Very cold across the eastern U.S. this week*** ***Wintry weather expected for parts of Texas*** The weather pattern across the continental U.S. through Thursday will continue to 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, it's like a broken record with very dry weather and above normal temperatures expected to continue. The bright side to this pattern is that there will be bright sunshine and pleasant temperatures for those enjoying outdoor activities. After parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast were hammered with heavy snow on Tuesday, frigid weather remains over the region with highs likely not making it above freezing until the weekend. A fast-moving clipper-type system will bring light snow from the Great Lakes to the central Appalachians and Northeast on Thursday. This will bring an impressive surface high from Canada that will settle deep into the southern U.S., along with colder temperatures. As the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico lifts across the cold front that settles over the northern Gulf of Mexico, an area of generally light precipitation is forecast to develop over southern Texas and into parts of Louisiana. As colder air infiltrates the region, this precipitation may fall as light snow on the northern fringes, and a mix of freezing rain and sleet farther to the south, even including the Gulf Coast! Winter storm watches and winter weather advisories are in effect for the affected areas. By Friday morning, another clipper system will spread scattered areas of snow across the Midwest. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php