Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 255 AM EST Mon Feb 13 2017 Valid 12Z Mon Feb 13 2017 - 12Z Wed Feb 15 2017 ...Major winter storm expected to hammer the Northeast U.S. and heavy rain is likely over parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast... A strong surface low just southeast of Cape Cod will continue intensifying rapidly during the day Monday while moving towards Nova Scotia. This nor'easter will bring blizzard conditions across parts of Maine through Monday as the winds become quite strong along with heavy snow and reduced visibilities. Winter storm warnings are in effect from upstate New York to northern Maine, where snowfall amounts of 8 to 16 inches are likely with locally higher amounts, and blizzard warnings for eastern Maine. Coastal flooding could also be an issue for this region. Given the strong pressure gradient that is expected to develop in the wake of this storm, widespread windy conditions are expected as far west as the central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic region, where high wind warnings are in effect for potential gusts in excess of 50 mph through Monday morning. An upper level low over northern Mexico, along with a surface frontal boundary, will continue to result in rain and mountain snow from Arizona to western Texas. Periods of rain, heavy at times, and scattered thunderstorms will develop ahead of the system across Texas and eventually moving eastward towards the central Gulf Coast by Wednesday morning. Heavy snowfall is forecast across the higher terrain of New Mexico on Monday before gradually winding down. By Tuesday night, rain and mountain snow starts returning to the Pacific Northwest after several days of dry weather. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php