Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 324 PM EDT Sun Mar 8 2015 Valid 00Z Mon Mar 9 2015 - 00Z Wed Mar 11 2015 ***Moderating temperatures across much of the country*** ***Widespread rain developing over the Gulf Coast region*** ***Remaining dry for the western U.S. through Tuesday*** After the relentless cold over the past few weeks, a welcomed pattern change is now evolving that is bringing considerably warmer weather to much of the central and eastern U.S. over the next few days. The strong north-to-south flow from the Arctic has abated some, with the overall flow becoming less amplified and allowing milder air masses over much of the country. The result will be temperatures near or even slightly above seasonal averages from the Plains to the East Coast, along with much less wintry precipitation. Across the south-central U.S., an upper trough approaching from northern Mexico and strengthening surface flow from the Gulf of Mexico will advect moisture over Texas and the Deep South. The increasing humidity and lift in the atmosphere will be favorable for widespread moderate to heavy precipitation to develop, especially over coastal regions of Texas and Louisiana. The potential exists for a few inches of rainfall by Monday afternoon. Some strong thunderstorms are also likely to develop. For the western U.S., the dry pattern is forecast to continue through Tuesday with high pressure remaining in place and generally suppressing any noteworthy rain or snow. Therefore, the drought continues for much of the region. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php