Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 251 PM EST Sun Nov 15 2015 Valid 00Z Mon Nov 16 2015 - 00Z Wed Nov 18 2015 ***Large storm system to affect the Rockies and central U.S.*** ***Heavy rain and severe thunderstorms from Texas to the Midwest*** ***Mostly sunny and pleasant conditions for much of the eastern U.S.*** A well-developed low pressure system and associated cold front is forecast to cross the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains through Monday afternoon ahead of an amplifying upper-level trough. This system is expected to bring widespread precipitation for much of the western U.S. With colder air moving in behind the cold front, snow levels are forecast to lower significantly by Monday afternoon, with snowfall totals of at least a foot for the higher mountain ranges. Winter storm watches and warnings are in effect for the central Rockies, and winter weather advisories for other mountain ranges of the Intermountain West. Strong and gusty winds are also expected to accompany this storm system. For the High Plains and central U.S., southerly winds ahead of this cold front will advect increasing amounts of moisture over Texas and northward to the Midwest states. Coverage of showers and thunderstorms will increase on Monday and Tuesday, and some of these storms are expected to become severe. Heavy rainfall on the order of 1 to 4 inches is also expected over the south-central U.S. for the beginning of the week. A large surface high over the eastern U.S. is expected to persist and govern the weather pattern east of the Mississippi River, along with mostly clear skies and seasonal temperatures. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php