Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 PM EST Fri Mar 11 2016 Valid 00Z Sat Mar 12 2016 - 00Z Mon Mar 14 2016 ...Heavy rain likely from Texas to Mississippi... ...More rain and mountain snow for the West Coast and Intermountain West... ...Severe thunderstorms possible on Sunday for the lower Mississippi Valley... The lower Mississippi Valley will continue to have widespread flooding as rain dumps over the region. The nearly stationary boundaries over the Southern Plains/Gulf states will slowly die as the upper level low weakens as it shifts northward over the next day-day and half. Pronounced southerly inflow from the Gulf of Mexico will help maintain the higher rainfall rates across the South; may yield a few more inches through Saturday evening. A series of frontal systems will progress eastward through the West and Intermountain West bringing multiple rounds of rain and mountain snow through the weekend. The Cascades and the Sierra Nevadas are forecast to have the highest snow accumulations; where 3-day totals of 1 to 3 feet will be possible at the highest elevations. The Sawtooth Range and Salmon River Mountains in Idaho potentially could have up to 2.5 ft. Strong winds will impact a large region spanning from coastal areas to the Great Basin as the Pacific systems approach the coast and move inland. Wind gusts exceeding 50 mph at times are forecast - wind advisories are in effect from California to Arizona. A low pressure system will cross the central Rockies and drag a cold front through the Central/Southern Plains this weekend. Conditions will be favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop of the Gulf states/lower Mississippi Valley. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted this region with a slight risk for severe thunderstorms. Mild weather is expected to continue for the eastern U.S. with highs in the 60s and 70s expected on Friday, which is well above seasonal averages. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php