Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 310 AM EST Sat Nov 22 2014 Valid 12Z Sat Nov 22 2014 - 12Z Mon Nov 24 2014 ***Unsettled weather pattern for the western U.S.*** ***Increasing moisture for the central U.S.*** ***Moderating temperatures for the eastern U.S. this weekend*** A Pacific storm system crossing the western U.S. this weekend is expected to bring widespread precipitation from the Pacific Northwest to the central Rockies, and this should last into Sunday as the moisture plume works its way inland. A swath of steady rain and high mountain snow is forecast along and just ahead of the front, and scattered rain/snow showers for much of the Great Basin and the Rockies. Elevation will be a big factor in determining precipitation type. For the central U.S., return flow around the departing surface high over the East Coast will allow for steadily increasing moisture from the western Gulf Coast to the Ohio Valley. The northern extent of this moisture may manifest itself as freezing drizzle or light freezing rain from the Upper Midwest to the southern Great Lakes region before warmer air arrives. Farther south, showers and some thunderstorms will likely increase in coverage through the weekend as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico interacts with a developing surface low over the central Plains by late Saturday. After a cold day on Friday, temperatures for the eastern U.S. will finally start a warming trend beginning on Saturday and lasting through Monday. The warmer southerly flow will allow for readings to reach the 40s and low 50s for many areas by Saturday, and about 5 to 10 degrees warmer on Sunday. Some isolated to scattered showers and storms are also expected for South Florida through the weekend. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php