Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 234 PM EST Mon Feb 29 2016 Valid 00Z Tue Mar 1 2016 - 00Z Thu Mar 3 2016 ...Thunderstorms expected over parts of the central Plains... ...Snow expected from the Dakotas to northern New England... ...Mountain snow and valley rain expected from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies... An arctic airmass making its way southward across the northern part of the nation will be one of the major factors in the weather pattern through the middle of the work week. The arctic cold front is expected to reach the central Plains and Ohio Valley by Tuesday morning with much colder temperatures behind it. A shortwave disturbance aloft tracking towards the southeast will promote surface low cyclogenesis over Kansas Monday evening along this arctic boundary. It is forecast to develop into a mid-grade winter storm from South Dakota to the Great Lakes, with several inches of snow expected. Strong thunderstorms are possible south of the warm front from Oklahoma to the Deep South. With the low maturing into a strong surface cyclone by the time it reaches New England, moderate to locally heavy snow can be anticipated across northern portions of New England and Maine, and windy and rainy conditions ahead of the cold front from the Mid-Atlantic region to the New England Coast. A definitive change in temperatures will arrive behind the cold front with readings returning to below normal values. Across the western U.S., rain and heavy mountain snow is likely for the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies as a Pacific cold fronts barrels ashore and brings a plume of deep moisture with it. Windy conditions and rough surf are likely for the coastal areas. Pleasant weather will continue for the southwestern states. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php