Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 225 AM EDT Fri Oct 14 2016 Valid 12Z Fri Oct 14 2016 - 12Z Sun Oct 16 2016 ...Heavy rain and high wind expected over the Pacific Northwest and northern California... ...Warmer than average temperatures expected for the central U.S. with cooler temperatures in the East... A series of strong storm systems will continue to affect the West Coast through the weekend, with the potential for heavy rain and high winds across the Pacific Northwest and northern California. One frontal system will move inland in the northwestern U.S. today bringing widespread rain. As this system moves into the interior West on Saturday, snow is expected at the higher elevations of the northern Rockies. Another storm system will move onshore on Saturday, with another round of intense rain and wind expected. This second system will spread rain, wind, and high elevation snows into the northern Rockies once again Saturday night into Sunday. The central U.S. will see above average temperatures through the weekend as high pressure aloft builds overhead. Temperatures will generally be 5 to 15 degrees above average across most of the central U.S. through Sunday. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible today from the southern plains to portions of the lower Mississippi valley along a weakening stationary frontal boundary as an upper-level disturbance passes overhead. This shower and thunderstorm activity will diminish by Saturday, however, as the front dissipates and high pressure aloft builds in. Farther north, a cold front will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms to portions of the Great Lakes Saturday into Saturday night. The Mid-Atlantic and Northeast will see dry conditions persisting through the weekend as high pressure persists. Temperatures will be as much as 10 degrees below average today, with temperatures increasing to near normal levels by Sunday. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php