Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 241 PM EST Thu Jan 26 2017 Valid 00Z Fri Jan 27 2017 - 00Z Sun Jan 29 2017 ...High pressure is large and in charge across the continental U.S. through the end of the week... After an active and stormy weather pattern over the past couple of weeks, much more tranquil conditions will be the rule across the majority of the nation. The cold front has now cleared most of the East Coast, and the front should exit Florida by Friday morning. Behind the cold front, the only areas that are expected to see measurable precipitation are the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains where upslope snow showers are expected, and areas downwind of the Great Lakes where lake effect snow bands are forecast to develop. The heaviest snow is likely east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, where lake effect snow warnings are in effect. Some localized areas could see snow amounts in excess of a foot. Some isolated showers are also possible across the Florida peninsula courtesy of onshore flow. High pressure will be quite expansive across the central and western U.S. through Saturday, along with sunny to partly cloudy skies. The coldest conditions are likely for the higher elevation valleys of the Intermountain West, with a strong inversion developing and deteriorating air quality. Approaching northern Pacific weather systems should be deflected northward before reaching the West Coast given the strong high pressure ridge that will be in place. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php