Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 340 AM EST Mon Feb 2 2015 Valid 12Z Mon Feb 2 2015 - 12Z Wed Feb 4 2015 ***Strong storm system moving across the eastern U.S.*** ***Widespread snow from the Great Lakes to Maine*** The main weather story across the continental U.S. will be a strong surface low pressure system tracking across the northeastern U.S. on Monday and Monday night. This will be a potent winter storm from the Ohio Valley to New England, and numerous winter storm warnings are in effect from eastern Ohio to Maine, where snowfall amounts on the order of 6 to 12 inches can be expected, with locally higher amounts. Bitterly cold weather will settle in behind this system from the Upper Midwest to New England. To the south of the surface low track, widespread rainy weather is expected along and ahead of the trailing cold front across much of the Mid-Atlantic, Carolinas, and extending southward to Florida. A few thunderstorms will also be possible near the Gulf Coast. Temperatures will also be above normal for just one day before the cold front exits the coast Monday night. For the western U.S., a series of cold fronts approaching the Pacific Northwest will bring scattered showers across the region for the beginning of the week. Given the mild temperatures, snow levels should remain fairly high, with accumulations confined to the highest elevations. By Tuesday and Wednesday, moisture returning from the western Gulf of Mexico should bring rain back to the western Gulf Coast region. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php