Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 354 AM EDT Fri Sep 23 2016 Valid 12Z Fri Sep 23 2016 - 12Z Sun Sep 25 2016 ...Strong storm system affects the western U.S. and northern plains... ...High quality airmass for the eastern U.S. this weekend... The weather pattern is becoming more reminiscent of fall with a strong cold front crossing the Intermountain West and another front passing through the Mid-Atlantic this weekend. The cold front out west is courtesy of a well-defined upper level low that will cross over the northern Rockies and then the northern plains. Heavy rain is expected over eastern Montana and the western Dakotas on the back side of the surface low. Strong cold air advection behind the departing storm system will bring much colder temperatures and mountain snow showers to parts of Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Temperatures will be about 10 to 20 degrees below normal through Saturday before a moderating trend commences. A refreshing change in the weather pattern is also in the forecast for much of the eastern U.S. by this weekend. A large surface high over southeast Canada will push a cold front across the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic region by Saturday, bringing cooler and much drier conditions with a fall-like feeling in the air. However, this front is not expected to reach the Deep South and Gulf Coast region, where the heat and humidity is expected to continue through the short range period. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php