Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 322 AM EDT Thu Mar 16 2017 Valid 12Z Thu Mar 16 2017 - 12Z Sat Mar 18 2017 ...Remaining cold over the eastern U.S. with rain and snow for the northwestern U.S. states... A quieter weather pattern has settled in across the eastern half of the nation now that the nor'easter has exited New England and weakened. A gradual moderating trend in temperatures is expected over the next few days as the arctic airmass retreats and milder air flows in from the west. Another cold front is forecast to track towards the East Coast by this weekend, but it won't be nearly as strong as the last front. A band of showers is likely along and ahead of this front from the southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic region. Out West, a Pacific front crossing the Intermountain West on Thursday will bring periods of rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. This system is expected to reach the northern Plains and Upper Midwest by Friday morning, bringing rain for the middle Mississippi River valley, and a wintry mix across Wisconsin and Michigan. It will continue to stay warm and dry across the Desert Southwest through the end of the week. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php