Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 225 AM EST Thu Feb 16 2017 Valid 12Z Thu Feb 16 2017 - 12Z Sat Feb 18 2017 ...Strong storm system to affect California and a quieter weather pattern is expected over most of the nation... Rain and mountain snow has now arrived to much of the western U.S. as a Pacific cold front is making its way inland across the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Heavy snow is likely for the higher elevations of the Cascades and the northern Rockies through Friday as the moisture moves inland. The main weather event that will make headlines over the next few days will be a rather strong low pressure system that is heading towards California by Friday. This is associated with a deep upper level trough that will generate an occluded surface low that is forecast to reach central and southern California by Friday afternoon. Heavy rainfall is expected for the coastal areas and the nearby mountains, with some locations getting in excess of 4 inches of rainfall by Saturday morning as a deep surge of subtropical moisture is directed towards the region. Flash flooding will be possible given the amount of rain expected. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., some lake effect snow can be expected downwind of the Great Lakes from strong cold air advection behind the departing nor'easter over eastern Canada. Sunny to partly cloudy conditions are expected across much of the central and eastern U.S. over the next few days as high pressure governs the overall weather pattern there. Warmer conditions are also expected in time for the weekend for many areas. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php