Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 329 AM EST Sat Jan 09 2016 Valid 12Z Sat Jan 09 2016 - 12Z Mon Jan 11 2016 ...Snow expected from the mid-Mississippi valley to the Great Lakes... ...Soaking rains expected for much of the eastern U.S... ...Rain and mountain snow expected for the West Coast states... A deepening low pressure system will move across the lower and middle Mississippi valley today, reaching the Ohio valley tonight, and the lower Great Lakes Sunday morning. Cold air in place north and west of the surface low center will allow a band of moderate to heavy snow to fall. Snowfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are possible across the mid-Mississippi valley. Heavier snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are possible across much of Michigan, with snow peaking in intensity late Saturday into Sunday morning. In the wake of the low pressure system, the cold air mass will move into the Upper Midwest, with high temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below average. In the warm sector of the system, from the central Gulf Coast to the Ohio valley and Mid-Atlantic regions, rain and areas of thunderstorms are expected today, with rain spreading into the Northeast tonight into early Sunday morning. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are forecast for much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with locally higher amounts possible. Additionally, preceding the main system, areas of light snow, sleet, and freezing rain will be possible today across interior New England as moisture overruns a weak warm front in the vicinity. A Pacific frontal system is moving into the West Coast states this morning, and will continue to bring rain and mountain snows to the region through today. Precipitation will begin to taper off this evening as the system moves inland and weakens. Rainfall amounts should generally be a half inch or less for most areas. 4 to 7 inches of snow are possible in the Sierras and the Northern Mountains in California. Another Pacific system will approach the West Coast by early Monday, spreading another round of rain and mountain snow into the region. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php