Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 354 PM EDT Thu Mar 30 2017 Valid 00Z Fri Mar 31 2017 - 00Z Sun Apr 02 2017 ...Severe thunderstorm potential today across much of the Ohio Valley and points southward to the Gulf Coast... ...Heavy snow likely for the Northern/Central Rockies, Great Basin and Wasatchs... ...Heavy rain possible for areas east of the Mississippi River... Widespread showers and thunderstorms have developed across the Midwest, Ohio valley, Great Lakes and portions of the Northeast today -- with a few organized lines of strong thunderstorms over the Gulf states and the Carolinas. The robust low pressure system that is producing the widespread precipitation will continue to track east through the Tennessee/Ohio valley today and reaching the Atlantic Coast by Friday evening. The Storm Prediction Center has an enhanced risk for severe storms this afternoon over southern Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky -- with a broader area of slight risk spanning from the Ohio valley to the central Gulf Coast. These outlined areas will be located nearest to the approaching cold front and will experience the best lift/instability. Additionally, some of these storms may produce heavy rainfall; which may increase the threat for flash flooding. Refer to SPC's Convective Outlooks and WPC's Excessive Rainfall Outlooks for specific details. A mix of rain and snow may develop over parts of the Upper Great Lakes today and tonight, while a wintry mix of rain, snow, and ice is expected across the northeast over the next couple of days. Winter Storm Watches, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are currently in effect for portions of the Northeast as a result. Out West, upper-level energy will persist digging southward across the western states. A stream of moist onshore flow will result in rain and higher elevation snow for the Pacific Northwest inland into the Central and Northern Rockies as a surface front crosses the Rockies and moves out into the Southern/Central High Plains during this time, Snow, potentially heavy, will persist across the highest elevations of the Northern/Central Rockies and the northern portion of the Great Basin Friday night into Saturday. Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of southwest Montana/central Idaho, west-central Wyoming and Colorado and most of Utah. The system is expected to split as it continues eastward from the Rockies during the day Friday, with one section moving into the north-central U.S., and another into the south-central U.S. The southern system will be the focus for more rain and thunderstorm development across the Southern Plains for this weekend. Campbell/Wix Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php