Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 141 PM EST Sat Feb 15 2014 Valid 00Z Sun Feb 16 2014 - 00Z Tue Feb 18 2014 --Rain and mountain snow continue for the Northwest U.S.-- --Freezing rain possible across the Mid-Mississippi valley Monday morning-- A rapidly developing surface low paralleling the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts will bring eastern New England and Atlantic Canada blizzard conditions as strong winds and heavy snow lash the area tonight through Sunday morning. Lighter snows are expected across northern Mid-Atlantic states and western New England along the system's western fringe. Sustained moisture flow and frontal intrusions from the Pacific are expected to keep conditions unsettled across the Northwestern corner of the nation extending eastward to the Northern Continental Divide. Widespread moderate to occasionally heavy precipitation is expected for the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, and Northern/Central Rockies through Saturday night, with thunder expected due to cold air invading aloft. Most of the precipitation should be in the form of rain in lower elevations, with the most significant snowfall saved for the Northern Cascades. The first system to eject from the Rockies into the Plains is expected to bring light snows to the northern Plains/Great Lakes and areas of freezing rain with embedded thunder across the Mid-Mississippi valley, with scattered showers and thunderstorms saved for the southern Plains/northwest Gulf coast, Mid-South, and central Appalachians during the day Monday as it taps moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and treks eastward through the Nation's Heartland. Roth/Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php