Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 AM EST Tue Feb 21 2017 Valid 12Z Tue Feb 21 2017 - 12Z Thu Feb 23 2017 ...Heavy rain and mountain snow possible into Tuesday across portions of the western U.S... ...Heavy rain possible into Tuesday across portions of the central Gulf Coast... ...Record high temperatures possible through midweek across portions of the central and eastern U.S... Rain and mountain snow will persist across much of the West as a vigorous low pressure system crosses the Intermountain region and into the Northern High Plains/Upper Midwest. Heavy rain may result in flooding for some areas, and heavy snow will be possible at high elevation locations. Precipitation will slowly decrease over the Pacific Northwest and California by midweek as the system reaches the central U.S. The potential for heavy snow in the Northern Rockies will taper off by this afternoon while chances for snow in the Great Basin will continue into Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms will persist from the central Gulf Coast to Northeast into today as a slow moving cold front passes through the Mississippi/Ohio valleys and the Great Lakes. Areas of heavy rain may be possible over the central Gulf Coast. A wintry mix will be possible for portions of New England tonight before transitioning to mostly snow during the day on Wednesday. Rain will be possible across the Southeast and southern Mid-Atlantic region through Wednesday evening as another low pressure system tracks through the Gulf of Mexico and Florida. Portions of the central and eastern U.S. observed warmer than usual conditions of late and that will persist this week. With an expansive high pressure aloft, average temperatures are forecast to range 20 to 40 degrees above average from the central and northern plains to the Great Lakes, with many areas reaching well into the 70s. Temperatures exceeding 20 degrees above average will reach the Mid-Atlantic region by Wednesday. Temperatures records may be ties or broken across these areas through Wednesday. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php