Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 329 PM EST Thu Feb 23 2017 Valid 00Z Fri Feb 24 2017 - 00Z Sun Feb 26 2017 ...Record warm temperatures possible for many locations east of the Mississippi River through Friday... ...Strong winter storm will bring heavy snow and gusty winds from portions of the central and northern Rockies to the Upper Midwest... Much of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River will continue to observe warmer than average temperatures through Friday, with a broad area of high pressure in place aloft and a strong surge of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico ahead of an approaching cold front at the surface and low levels. Forecast highs ranging 15 to 30 degrees above seasonal average will be possible from the Southeast to the Lower Great Lakes and eastward to the Mid-Atlantic Friday. The widespread warmth may lead to several locations reaching or exceeding daily records both for daily maximum temperatures (Friday afternoon), and for daily high minimum temperatures (Friday morning and Saturday morning). A strong winter storm will track from the Rockies to the Upper Midwest through Saturday. A surface low continues to gain strength as it moves into the southern plains this afternoon, and will move through the central plains tonight and into the Midwest and Great Lakes region through the day Friday. This low pressure system is allowing for ongoing heavy bands of snow and gusty winds across the central and northern Rockies east into the High Plains. As the low tracks northeast, the heavy snow and gusty winds will continue to spread into portions of the Upper Midwest and Upper Great Lakes. A vast area spanning from Utah to Wisconsin have a plethora of hazards in place, including: Blizzard warnings, winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories, and winter storm watches. South of the snow area, rain and thunderstorms are expected Friday and Friday night from portions of the mid and upper-Mississippi valley to the southern Great Lakes and Ohio valley. Some storms could be severe on Friday across portions of the Ohio valley and southern Great Lakes. Please refer to products issued by the Storm Prediction Center for further details on the severe weather threat. Wix/Campbell/Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php