Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 354 AM EST Mon Nov 17 2014 Valid 12Z Mon Nov 17 2014 - 12Z Wed Nov 19 2014 ...Widespread precipitation will continue to develop ahead of an Arctic airmass surging into the eastern U.S. on Monday... ...Heavy snows expected downwind of the Great Lakes... Another blast of Arctic air surging through the Nation will drop temperatures across the central and eastern U.S. early this week. At the leading edge of the frigid airmass...moisture getting pulled from the Gulf and Atlantic will fuel widespread precipitation ahead of a cold front crossing the Appalachians on Monday. Heavy rains with embedded strong to severe thunderstorms are expected in the Southeast...while a wintry mix of snow...sleet...and freezing rain will be possible over portions of interior New England. The cold front and associated precipitation should clear the Eastern Seaboard by early Tuesday...however...cold Arctic air ushering in over warmer lake waters will set the stage for heavy snow bands downwind of the Great Lakes. An upper ridge centered over the West Coast will keep weather quiet in the western U.S...but a Pacific system inching towards the coastline could bring precipitation into Northern California by the middle of the week. Gerhardt Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php