Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 256 PM EST Thu Nov 26 2015 Valid 00Z Fri Nov 27 2015 - 00Z Sun Nov 29 2015 ...Flash flooding possible across portions of the southern plains and mid-Mississippi valley... ...Snow and ice expected for much of the central U.S... An arctic cold front will usher a cold air mass into areas from the southern plains to the Upper Great Lakes tonight and through the next couple days. Moisture spreading northward from the Gulf of Mexico will result in widespread precipitation along and north of the cold front. Showers and thunderstorms are expected in the warmer air south of the front, from central and southern Texas to the mid-Mississippi valley and portions of the Great Lakes. Very heavy rainfall amounts of 3 to 9 inches, with locally higher amounts, are forecast -- and flash flooding is possible through Saturday. In the cold air north of the arctic front, a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected. The shallow nature of the arctic air mass will allow for an extended period of freezing rain over a rather large area, from eastern New Mexico and northern Texas northeastward across the central plains. Significant ice accumulations of a quarter to a half inch, with locally higher amounts, are forecast across portions of this area. Additionally, 1 to 3 inches of snow or sleet will be possible. In the higher terrain of Colorado, snow is forecast to fall, with 5 to 10 inches of snow forecast to be common. Winter storm watches and warnings, ice storm warnings, and winter weather advisories are in effect for much of the central U.S. Please refer to products from local NWS forecast offices for details specific to your area. On Friday, the northern portion of the cold front will move across the northeastern U.S., bringing showers from the Ohio valley into the Northeast. Elsewhere, high pressure will remain in control across the southeastern U.S. Therefore, dry conditions will be common in that region with the exception of a few scattered showers along the coastline. The Pacific Northwest will also remain dry through the next couple days. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php