Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 351 AM EDT Sat Mar 15 2014 Valid 12Z Sat Mar 15 2014 - 12Z Mon Mar 17 2014 ***Much colder weather arriving to the Northeast U.S. by Sunday*** ***Developing storm system over the Southern U.S. this weekend*** ***Late season snow event likely for the Mid-Atlantic on Monday*** Another pleasantly mild day is in store for the East Coast on Saturday before a harsh reality check returns by Sunday and Monday with the passage of another cold front from Canada. This is forecast to drop temperatures on the order of 20 degrees for many areas and this would be below normal by mid-March standards. It will remain mild over the Desert Southwest and into California through this forecast period. Upper level shortwave energy will help develop a surface low over the Southern Plains by Saturday night that will be the main weather maker over the country over the next few days. Plentiful return flow from the Gulf of Mexico will draw plenty of moisture into the Deep South and Southeast U.S. this weekend, with numerous showers and thunderstorms expected to develop. Some of these storms could be strong or severe at times. Another surge of cold weather is expected behind this system over Texas and the Central Plains. With the storm system moving towards the East Coast by late Sunday and into Monday, a late season snowfall appears increasingly likely from the Central Appalachians to the Jersey Shore, and a mix of rain, sleet, and snow extending into Central Virginia. The greatest impact from this winter weather event appears to be on Monday when several inches of snow is a good possibility. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php