Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 301 AM EST Fri Feb 03 2017 Valid 12Z Fri Feb 03 2017 - 12Z Sun Feb 05 2017 ...Heavy snow possible for portions of the Sierras, Absarokas, Bitterroots, Blue and Salmon River Ranges... ...Heavy rain possible for Northern California Coast... ...Lake effect snow downwind from the Lakes Superior, Huron and Ontario... High pressure drifting southeast from the northern High Plains to the Mississippi/Tennessee valleys will quickly push a cold front southward into the Gulf of Mexico and across Florida today. Lingering Gulf moisture will result in rain chances along the Gulf and Mid-Atlantic coast today, with drier air taking hold by this evening. To the north, upper-level energy moving over the Great Lakes will aid in producing lake effect snow, primarily downwind from the Lakes Superior, Huron and Ontario through Saturday. An upper-level low over the Eastern Pacific will slowly weaken and move onshore over the Pacific Northwest throughout today. The associated surface low will remain just off the coast through the weekend, with a secondary low expected to move inland across the Northwestern states by Sunday. This system will bring a plume of moisture into Central and Northern California and across much of the Northwest into the weekend. Coastal areas will have rain, possibly heavy at times, while areas of higher terrain will see a wintry mix of snow, rain, and ice. Snow will spread eastward into the Northern Rockies by this evening and into the adjacent Northern Plains by Saturday. The Sierra Nevadas and ranges from Idaho to northwest Wyoming will likely have heavy snow over the next few days. The secondary low will continue its track eastward, reaching the Upper Great Lakes by Sunday morning, where it will bring a good potential for snow across much of the Great Lakes region Saturday night through Sunday as well. Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php