Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 202 PM EST Tue Jan 24 2017 Valid 00Z Wed Jan 25 2017 - 00Z Fri Jan 27 2017 ...Active weather over the eastern U.S. through Wednesday will transition to a quiet pattern nationwide by week's end... A strong low pressure system located south of Cape Cod will continue to lift towards the northeast through the middle of the week, reaching Nova Scotia by Wednesday. Periods of rain are forecast for coastal sections of the Northeast through Tuesday night, along with gusty winds. Across interior portions of the northeast U.S., snow and some sleet is expected through Wednesday morning, after which the precipitation will begin to abate. Much of the Northeast has winter weather advisories in effect, and winter storm warnings for northern Maine where the greatest snowfall accumulations are forecast. Another low pressure system crossing the central Plains will continue to produce widespread snow across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota through Tuesday night. The northern Great Lakes region will be affected on Wednesday as the surface low tracks towards the northeast. Numerous winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect, with snowfall amounts on the order of 8 to 12 inches where the heaviest snow bands set up. Windy conditions south of the surface low will increase wildfire potential across parts of Oklahoma and northern Texas with very dry conditions in place. High pressure will continue to build over much of the West and deflect the north Pacific storm track northward into Canada and this will lead to a drier weather pattern for the West Coast through the end of the week. The showers that are currently over the western U.S. will continue to decrease in coverage. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php