Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 235 AM EST Tue Jan 17 2017 Valid 12Z Tue Jan 17 2017 - 12Z Thu Jan 19 2017 ...Stormy weather pattern returning to the Pacific Northwest and heavy rain remains likely for the Gulf Coast... The low pressure system currently over the Great Lakes region Tuesday morning will continue tracking towards New England by Wednesday, before quickly moving out to sea. Periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms are likely from eastern Texas to the Ohio Valley along the trailing cold front. Farther to the north from Wisconsin to northern New England, it will be mainly in the form of wintry weather, with freezing rain and sleet across the Great Lakes region, and snow for interior New England once the low intensifies off the coast on Wednesday. Heavy rain chances will continue across the Gulf Coast region through the middle of the week as the southern portion of the cold front is forecast to stall out. The highest rainfall totals are anticipated from southeast Texas to Mississippi, where a few inches of additional rainfall is possible. Some strong thunderstorms are also likely south of the front, and could produce localized flooding. The weather pattern across the Pacific Northwest will become quite active starting Tuesday with heavy rain and mountain snow, compliments of strong onshore flow from the next approaching storm system over the northeast Pacific Ocean. By Wednesday, this moisture should begin reaching California and the northern Rockies, with the heaviest rain expected for the coastal mountain ranges from northern California to Washington. Strong and gusty winds are also likely near the coast and for the higher elevations. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php