Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 316 AM EDT Mon May 12 2014 Valid 12Z Mon May 12 2014 - 12Z Wed May 14 2014 ***Stormy weather from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley*** ***Wintry weather decreasing across the Rocky Mountains*** ***Hot and dry weather for the West Coast this week*** A strong and dynamic spring storm system over the central U.S. will be the main weather story across the country through the middle of the work week. A strong cold front moving slowly to the east will intersect a warm and very humid airmass from the Gulf of Mexico, and deep moisture convergence ahead of this boundary is expected to result in widespread heavy rain over eastern Texas and into the Arklatex region. Scattered severe thunderstorms are also likely from the western Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes region. Over the Northeast U.S., a front will oscillate from the Mid-Atlantic to New England, with showers and thunderstorms possible north of the front. Over the Central Rockies, a major late-season snow event is forecast to decrease in intensity as the upper level low slowly weakens and moves eastward. However, there will still be some lingering snow showers over the higher elevations of Colorado and New Mexico through Tuesday, and rain for the lower elevations. For the West Coast, building heat will be in the forecast through the middle of the week. A big surface high settling in over the Inter-Mountain West will allow for down-sloping and offshore flow for much of California. The result will be sunny and hot weather, with highs reaching the 90s and even near 100 degrees, with perhaps a few record highs possible. The ongoing drought will continue, and the gusty winds will result in increased wildfire potential. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php