Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 245 AM EST Thu Jan 22 2015 Valid 12Z Thu Jan 22 2015 - 12Z Sat Jan 24 2015 ***Developing storm system over Texas and the Gulf of Mexico*** ***Widespread rain for the Deep South and Southeast U.S.*** ***Quiet weather pattern for much of the country*** The upper-level pattern through Thursday will be featured with a ridge over the West Coast and a pronounced trough over the central U.S. along with a developing shortwave. The main weather feature for the end of the week will be a developing surface low over the northern Gulf of Mexico, which will then become a nor'easter as it travels near the East Coast. Rain and inland snow is expected for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. by this weekend, along with windy conditions near the coast. Widespread rain is expected for Texas and the Deep South states on Thursday as deep moisture is lifted north of a frontal boundary. This is in response to a developing low along this front. A strong shortwave trough will begin energizing this system as it traverses the Gulf of Mexico, bringing moderate to locally heavy rain into Texas and the Deep south. Snow is expected for western Texas and into New Mexico and Colorado, where winter storm warnings are currently in effect. A few rumbles of thunder will also be possible near the Gulf Coast as warmer and more humid air advects northward. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., expect mostly quiet weather conditions to continue through Friday, with a sprawling surface high over much of the western U.S. and extending eastward to the central Plains. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php