Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 121 PM EST Thu Feb 25 2016 Valid 00Z Fri Feb 26 2016 - 00Z Sun Feb 28 2016 ...Snow expected to continue for the central and southern Appalachians into early Friday morning... ...Above average temperatures expected for much of the western and central U.S... ...Rain and snow to affect the northwestern U.S. Friday and Saturday... The intense low pressure system that brought heavy rain and severe weather to much of the eastern U.S., and heavy snow to parts of the Midwest, will continue to move northward into Quebec tonight. As a result, precipitation across the northeastern U.S. will gradually come to an end this evening into early Friday morning. Northwesterly flow will keep snow showers along the spine of the Appalachians into Friday morning, with locally heavy snowfall possible. These snow showers should taper off Friday morning. High pressure will keep much of the central U.S. and the Rockies dry through Friday, with above average temperature expected over a wide area. High temperatures on Friday are forecast to be 10 to 20 degrees above average for much of the western and central U.S. On Saturday, temperatures across the northern plains may reach 20 to 30 degrees above average. A Pacific frontal system will approach the Northwest on Friday, spreading rain into the region, with snow at the highest elevations of the Washington Cascades. As the front moves inland Friday night, snow levels will lower, and rain will mix with or change to snow over much of the Cascades and the Olympics. Rain and mountain snow will also spread into the northern Intermountain region Friday night into Saturday. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php