Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 226 AM EDT Fri Oct 20 2017 Valid 12Z Fri Oct 20 2017 - 12Z Sun Oct 22 2017 ...Unsettled for the northwestern U.S. and pleasant for the East Coast states through Saturday... Heavy rain and high elevation snow will be the main weather story across the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies as a strong low pressure system approaches the region Friday night and into Saturday. This atmospheric river will likely result in at least an inch of rainfall across western Oregon and Washington, with some locations getting in excess of three inches. Snow will be heavy for the higher mountain ranges of the northern Rockies, and also for the northern Cascades. The cold front currently tracking across the Rockies is expected to reach the Plains by Friday night in association with an amplified upper level trough. Severe thunderstorms will likely develop across parts of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas ahead of the front this weekend, and the Storm Prediction Center has additional details on this threat. Given the progressive nature of this front, rainfall amounts should be held in check with amounts generally under an inch. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., expect the pleasant fall weather to continue across the east with widespread 60s and 70s for highs, and cool mornings. Warmer temperatures are expected by the weekend ahead of the front. Fire weather concerns will continue across parts of California over the next few days with very dry conditions and gusty winds expected. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php