Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 232 AM EST Fri Feb 19 2016 Valid 12Z Fri Feb 19 2016 - 12Z Sun Feb 21 2016 ...Rain and high elevation snow to affect the Pacific Northwest and northern California... ...High winds expected for portions of the central and northern High Plains and portions of the Rockies... ...Above average temperatures expected to expand across much of the central and eastern U.S... Rain and high elevation snow will continue across the Pacific Northwest and northern California into the weekend. A Pacific frontal system will advance toward the West Coast today and moving through the region tonight and into Saturday, resulting in widespread precipitation. Locally heavy rain will be possible, and snowfall amounts may range from 1 to 2 feet at the higher elevations of the Cascades. The Sawtooths and Bitteroots could see up to 1 foot of snow in the highest elevations by early Monday morning. The vigorous low pressure system that crossed the Intermountain West and Great Basin regions yesterday will surge across the High Plains and Midwest today, reaching the Great Lakes and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys on Saturday. A mixture of light rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain will be possible across the Northern plains and portions of the northern Great Lakes today. Portions of North Dakota and Minnesota have Freezing Rain Advisories in effect. Additionally, Winter Weather Advisories and Freezing Rain Advisories are in effect for counties surrounding the Great Lakes. Portions of the Upper Midwest could have thunderstorms develop as warm air advects northward. Strong winds are expected with this system today as a strong pressure gradient sets up. A vast area spanning from the Rockies to the Great Lakes/Tennessee Valley have High Wind Warnings and Advisories in effect. Wind gusts may exceed 60 mph at times, please refer to products issued by your local NWS Forecast Office for details specific to your area. This system will quickly move into the lower Great Lakes and the Northeast by late evening/early Saturday, spreading a wintry mix of precipitation types into these areas. The southern flank of this system will become stationary over the Southern Plains, however, when another wave of low pressure develops along the boundary tonight, it will push south and eastward. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will develop over the southern Plains, Mid-Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee valleys on Saturday and Sunday. Rain fall amounts up to 1 inch will be common from Texas to the Mid-Atlantic. Up to 2 inches is forecast for areas near the Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana borders. Afternoon highs today across the central U.S., particularly from the Plains to the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes, are forecast to range 10 to 25 degrees above average for this time of the year. These warm temperatures will begin to expand eastward on Saturday, with many areas along the East Coast expected to reach 10 to 15 degrees above average. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php