Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 245 PM EST Sat Mar 5 2016 Valid 00Z Sun Mar 6 2016 - 00Z Tue Mar 8 2016 ...Heavy rain and mountain snow for the West Coast states... ...Above average temperatures expected for the central U.S through the weekend... Heavy rain and mountain snow are in the forecast for much of the West Coast region through Monday. A strong storm system is expected to bring on the order of 1 to 3 inches of rain to northern California and the Pacific Northwest Coast through Sunday. With the passage of the cold front Saturday evening, snow levels will drop and heavy snow will become more widespread for the mountain ranges, including the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades. Parts of the Sierra Nevada could get in excess of two feet of snow with this event. Winter storm warnings are in effect for those areas. Another storm system is progged to reach the coast Sunday night with more significant precipitation expected. With the first front making it way across the Intermountain West and towards the western High Plains by Monday, a surge of southerly winds will exist across much of the central U.S. This will result in temperatures well above average by early March standards. Widespread readings in the 60s and 70s can be expected for daytime highs. Across the eastern U.S., chilly weather will be temporary with milder and more spring-like temperatures returning by the beginning of the week. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php