Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 AM EST Thu Feb 27 2014 Valid 12Z Thu Feb 27 2014 - 12Z Sat Mar 01 2014 ...High-impact systems to barrage California... ...Heavy mountain snows likely in the Sierras and central Rockies... ...Mid-winter cold bites down (again) on the eastern two-thirds of the US... The current system moving through California and Nevada today is the appetizer to the larger main course coming through on Friday, though both will provide much needed rainfall. Widespread light to moderate rain and higher elevation snow will push through the Great Basin today but gradually diminish in coverage and intensity. The system should move through Colorado overnight and then onto the southern Plains on Friday where some light rain and a wintry mix may develop. To the north, an arctic boundary will continue its trek eastward and southward, ushering in another blast of January-like cold to the northern/central Plains and points east. Temperatures will likely stay below zero over much of Minnesota today while the upper Midwest as a whole will struggle to reach higher than just the single digits, which is about 30 to near 40 degrees below average for the end of February. By Friday, the cold will spread eastward but also reach farther westward as the cold front eases over the Continental Divide into northern Idaho and then northeastern Washington. Temperatures in northern Montana on Friday will fall throughout the day and plunge into the -30s Friday night. Another impulse out of Canada will carry a surface front eastward on Friday through ND/SD into MN with some light snow. On Friday a vigorous Pacific system will creep steadily closer to California with the second part of this recent 1-2 punch. Heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and possibly several feet of snow in the mountains are very real threats with this system. The cold front should pass into Nevada by late Friday but the trailing main surface low will continue to maintain showers through the Golden state into Saturday. Not to be overlooked, the arctic boundary to the north, draped along the mountains in WY/CO, will keep a long-duration snow event over the terrain. Strong Canadian high pressure to the north will support windy conditions behind the front which will blow and drift the snow in favored areas. Fracasso Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php