Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 420 PM EDT Fri Oct 03 2014 Valid 00Z Sat Oct 04 2014 - 00Z Mon Oct 06 2014 ...Big push of colder air will continue to the eastern U.S. this weekend... ...Heat continues for the West Coast this weekend... The dominating weather maker for the lower 48 will be a strong cold front that currently extends from the Upper Ohio River Valley to the Central Gulf Coast. This cold front will push eastward tonight, reaching much of the East Coast by tomorrow morning along with breezy conditions and much colder temperatures compared to this past week. By Sunday, high temperatures will only range from the 50s in New England to the 70s across the Southeast and northern Florida, but conditions will be dry behind the cold front. Farther west, temperatures for much of the Upper Midwest will drop into the low to mid 30s overnight with a rain/snow mix likely occurring from Minnesota to Wisconsin. Light snow accumulations will be possible here but relatively warm ground conditions and daytime temperatures rising into the 40s during the day on Saturday will preclude travel problems. On the other side of the nation, upper level ridging will be in place through the weekend, allowing for above average temperatures and dry conditions to persist. High temperatures this weekend for cities from San Diego, California to Spokane, Washington will run anywhere from 10 to 25 degrees above early October normals. In addition, with high pressure in charge at the surface across the Intermountain West, conditions will be favorable for wild fires across portions of southern California, including the Coastal Ranges and adjacent foothills. Otto Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php