Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 358 AM EST Sun Dec 27 2015 Valid 12Z Sun Dec 27 2015 - 12Z Tue Dec 29 2015 ...There is an enhanced risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of south-central U.S... ...Heavy snow possible from portions of the Southern Rockies/Southern High Plains to the Upper Midwest... ...There is a chance of rain/freezing rain from parts of the Southern Plains into the Great Lakes... ...Heavy rain and flash flooding possible from Southern Plains into the Middle Mississippi Valley and the Ohio Valley... Widespread impacts are ongoing across much of the south-central and central U.S. as a strong storm system continues to track through the Southern Plains. The deepening of this low center associated with this storm is causing wind speeds and snowfall intensity to strengthen -- creating blizzard-like conditions. Eastern New Mexico, North/North-central Texas and the Oklahoma panhandle are currently receiving the brunt of the snow fall. A thin strip of mixed precipitation is expected along the advancing front, ice accumulations up to 0.20 inch may be common; however, northern Missouri, southern Iowa and northern Illinois may observe up to 0.50 inch of ice by early Wednesday. Forecast 3-day totals for this area is 8 to 12 inches. On the warm side of the front, numerous showers and thunderstorms have dumped heavy rain from the Southern Plains to the Midwest. An expansive area has flash flooding occurring due to the heavy rain and will persist with additional rainfall expected over the next couple of days. River flooding will be likely in the water-logged locations. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an enhanced risk of severe storms from portions of the Southern Plains to the lower Mississippi Valley. Please refer to the SPC webpage for additional information for potential severe weather. As the system lifts north and east, the Great Lakes region and the Northeast will impacted by heavy snow. Maine will be hit the hardest with accumulations of 12 to 15 inches. Onshore flow will push moisture into the Northwest Coast and Northern California on this afternoon and into Monday. Rain will develop over the Northwest Coast into Northern California Coast-- with snow over interior Pacific Northwest and Northern California expanding eastward to the Northern Intermountain Region/Great Basin. The higher elevations of the Cascades could see 8 to 10 inches. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php