Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 310 AM EDT Thu Sep 28 2017 Valid 12Z Thu Sep 28 2017 - 12Z Sat Sep 30 2017 ...Heavy rain possible for the Southern Rockies and Southern Plains and turning cooler for the eastern U.S. after the recent warm weather... Copious amounts of moisture are present over the Southern Plains, and combined with the presence of a stationary front is leading to episodes of moderate to locally heavy rainfall there. The highest rainfall amounts are expected across the border in Mexico, but areas across south central Texas could see an additional 2 inches of rain. A second area of enhanced rainfall is likely over northern New Mexico where 1 to locally 2 inches of rain will be possible. Rain will continue in those areas through the end of the workweek. In the Central Rockies, temperatures will be cold enough to support snow in the highest elevations, where several inches of snow are possible. A cold front stretching from New England to the Deep South will lead to a few showers and thunderstorms across the Northeast, but most areas should remain dry as the front passes through. This will also usher in cooler temperatures for these areas after the much above average temperatures over the past few days. This front will continue southeastward, moving offshore of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic by Thursday afternoon. This front and its associated upper-level trough will help steer Hurricane Maria quickly eastward as it weakens to a tropical storm. Another low pressure system will approach the Upper Great Lakes on Thursday, bringing showers to that area and into the Lower Great Lakes by Friday afternoon. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php