Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 316 AM EDT Fri Oct 31 2014 Valid 12Z Fri Oct 31 2014 - 12Z Sun Nov 2 2014 ***Major trough setting up over the Eastern U.S.*** ***Drought relief on the way for California*** ***Arctic surface high settles southward into U.S.*** The weather pattern will get interesting as we head into the weekend as a Manitoba mauler (a low pressure system coming from the Canadian province of Manitoba) dives southward towards the southern Appalachians by Saturday morning. This will result in the development of a highly amplified trough over the East Coast and a strong surface low developing offshore. In terms of sensible weather impacts, expect much colder weather by Saturday with numerous showers, and accumulating snow in the higher elevations of the Appalachians. Rain and windy conditions are likely for eastern New England by Sunday as the offshore low intensifies. Across the western U.S., good news is in the forecast for much of California as a more southern storm track brings badly needed rain to drought-stricken areas. The rain will come courtesy of a Pacific cold front. A period of steady rainfall along with isolated thunderstorms is likely for central and northern California on Friday. Snow is expected for the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada, where winter storm warnings are currently in effect. Widespread rain and snow showers are in the forecast for the Intermountain West this weekend as the front and trough axis move inland. Elsewhere across the country, a large surface high from Canada will dominate the weather pattern from the Upper Midwest to the Deep South this weekend. Widespread freeze warnings are currently in effect from the central Plains to the Ohio Valley, where overnight lows in the 20s to low 30s are expected. It will also be unseasonably cool across the Deep South with lows in the 30s and highs in the 50s and 60s under mostly sunny skies. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php