Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 349 PM EDT Sun Mar 9 2014 Valid 00Z Mon Mar 10 2014 - 00Z Wed Mar 12 2014 ***Rain and snow continues for the Northwestern U.S.*** ***Showers and thunderstorms for the Gulf Coast region*** ***Mild start to the work week for many places*** A cold front moving in from the Pacific, along with an upper level trough, will keep showers and high mountain snow in the forecast from northern California to the northern Rockies through Monday. Ahead of the front, warmer temperatures will result in high snow levels, with any significant snowfall confined to elevations above 6000 feet, and slightly lower towards the Canadian Border. Snow levels will lower with the passage of the front. A shortwave digging southward into Mexico and a stationary front over the western Gulf of Mexico will allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop over southern Texas and into parts of the Deep South for the beginning of the work week. Given the lack of any appreciable instability or shear, no severe weather is currently expected with the activity near the Gulf Coast through Monday. A stronger system that is forecast to develop over the Central Plains by late Tuesday will likely provide greater forcing with strong to severe thunderstorms possible ahead of the front, and gusty northerly winds behind it. Warmer temperatures will be enjoyed by many across the Central and Eastern U.S. for the beginning of the work week with no major Arctic intrusions expected. Widespread highs in the 60s and 70s are likely from the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic, and near 80 degrees farther to the South. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php