Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
216 PM EST Tue Jan 31 2017

Valid 00Z Wed Feb 1 2017 - 00Z Fri Feb 3 2017

...Rain and mountain snow returns to the western U.S. while the remainder
of the nation remains rather uneventful... 

After several days of a rather uneventful weather pattern across most of
the nation, things will begin changing for the West Coast going into
Thursday.  The western U.S. ridge is expected to break down some and allow
for a Pacific storm system to work its way towards the California coast
and bring moderate to heavy rain back to central and northern California,
and also Oregon.  Parts of the coastal ranges could get 1 to 3 inches of
rainfall by Friday morning.  Heavy snow is also likely for the higher
elevations of the Sierra and also for the northern Rockies.

Elsewhere across the continental U.S., broad cyclonic flow aloft will keep
a cool and dry pattern in place for most areas.  Lake effect snow is
expected downwind of the Great Lakes, where snowfall amounts in excess of
six inches are possible.  Another area of precipitation in the form of
rain is likely across portions of the southern U.S. in association with a
surface low developing along a cold front.

Hamrick/Wix


Graphics available at <a href="http://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php"><u>www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php</u></a>