Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 536 PM EDT Thu Apr 24 2014 Valid 00Z Fri Apr 25 2014 - 00Z Sun Apr 27 2014 ***Thunderstorms from the Midwest to the East coast through Friday*** ***Remaining colder than average across the northern tier states*** ***Active weather pattern for the Western U.S.*** There will be two main weather systems affecting the continental U.S. through Saturday. The first system is currently affecting the Central U.S. with showers and thunderstorms extending from the Upper Midwest to the Deep South. This spring-like low pressure system will have a warm sector associated with it, and conditions will be favorable for the development of strong to locally severe thunderstorms from Missouri to the Carolinas through Friday evening. Farther to the north across the Great Lakes and the Upper Midwest, mainly light to moderate rainfall is expected on the north side of the surface low tracking across the Ohio Valley. After the departure of the first system, it will become increasingly warmer and more humid for the southern and central Plains for the end of the week. Strong southerly flow ahead of another storm system currently moving into the western United States will make it feel more like early summer with widespread 80s and even low 90s. Farther to the north, a cold front sinking south from Canada will keep cool temperatures around through the weekend. An upper level trough will amplify across the West on Friday while a cold front slowly moves through the Intermountain region. Scattered rain showers will change to snow showers, mostly across the higher elevations of the Rockies where locally significant accumulations of snow are possible. Rain is expected for the valley locations, with a rain/snow mix possible in some areas as snow levels get lower. As the upper level disturbance continues east on Saturday, severe weather is expected for parts of the Great Plains, and the Storm Prediction Center will have more information regarding this. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php