Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 245 AM EST Fri Nov 20 2015 Valid 12Z Fri Nov 20 2015 - 12Z Sun Nov 22 2015 ***Significant snowfall from Central Plains to Great Lakes*** ***Improving weather for the East Coast on Friday*** ***Colder than average temperatures for the western U.S.*** With plenty of cold air in place across the north-central U.S., the first significant snow storm of the season is expected to materialize from Nebraska to Michigan. A low pressure system exiting the Rockies early Friday is forecast to develop further as it tracks across the central U.S. and eventually towards the Great Lakes region. A wide band of moderate to heavy snow is expected north of the low, with the heaviest amounts from eastern Nebraska, through Iowa, and extending eastward to central Michigan by Saturday afternoon. In areas where the heaviest snow bands set up, amounts on the order of 6 to 12 inches are likely, with widespread 4 to 8 inch amounts. Behind this low pressure system will be a strong cold front that will quickly push southward across the southern U.S. and then extending well into Mexico and the Gulf by Saturday night, bringing some of the coldest air of the season so far. Scattered showers and a few storms are possible ahead of this cold front. Surface high pressure over the interior West will result in mostly clear skies and cold temperatures for the weekend. After a rainy day on Thursday, improving weather is coming to the East Coast states on Friday after the frontal boundary pushes well offshore. Seasonal temperatures can be expected through Saturday ahead of the next cold front, which will result in below-normal temperatures for Sunday and the beginning of the week. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php