Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 338 PM EST Fri Dec 4 2015 Valid 00Z Sat Dec 5 2015 - 00Z Mon Dec 7 2015 ***Periods of rain and mountain snow for the Pacific Northwest*** ***Heavy rain for parts of Florida*** ***Quiet weather across most of the nation*** An active storm track across the northern Pacific is expected to result in unsettled conditions from northern California to the Pacific Northwest through the upcoming weekend. On Saturday, a strong storm system is forecast to affect areas from central California to the Washington coast, with 1 to 3 inches of rainfall and at least a foot of snow for the highest elevations. Gusty winds in excess of 50 mph are possible for the coastal areas. The majority of the East Coast will be enjoying mostly clear skies and seasonal temperatures for the next few days. The exception will be the Florida Peninsula where periods of heavy rain and occasional thunderstorms can be expected for the southern half of the state as a stationary frontal boundary remains near the coast. Low clouds are also possible over parts of New England. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., things should be rather uneventful as a surface high over both the eastern U.S. and Intermountain West govern the overall weather pattern with little in the way of any precipitation. There are no indications of any arctic air intrusions in the near future, with seasonal temperatures for most of the nation through the weekend. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php