Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 349 AM EDT Thu Mar 17 2016 Valid 12Z Thu Mar 17 2016 - 12Z Sat Mar 19 2016 ...Cooler weather returning to much of the country by the end of the week... ...Unsettled weather expected for the Gulf Coast region... A pattern change is underway that will result in colder weather across much of the central and eastern U.S. by the end of the week. The front that cleared the East Coast Wednesday night had a minor effect on temperatures, while a secondary front forecast to move through by Friday will have a more noticeable drop in temperatures. Highs will return to near or slightly below average for this time of year for many locations by this weekend. Over the Upper Midwest, the surface low over the northern Great Lakes is forecast to weaken and move towards the east. Some snow is likely on the northern side of this low over northern Michigan and also into northern New England. Windy conditions are also expected in the vicinity of the surface low with a strong pressure gradient in place. With a stationary front setting up near the Gulf Coast over the next couple of days, along with shortwave energy passing overhead, showers and thunderstorms are likely from southern Texas to the Florida panhandle. A few inches of rain will be possible in those areas that see the most persistent rainfall. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php