Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 244 AM EST Sun Nov 19 2017 Valid 12Z Sun Nov 19 2017 - 12Z Tue Nov 21 2017 ...Heavy precipitation for parts of the Northeast and Pacific Northwest, and dry for the central states... A strong storm system currently crossing New England with a cold front exiting the East Coast Sunday morning will be accompanied by periods of moderate to locally heavy rain before drier conditions arrive by Monday. This will be accompanied by a pronounced upper level trough over the region. Given the intensity of the surface low and tight pressure gradient, widespread gusty winds are expected on Sunday and Sunday night, and numerous wind advisories and a few high wind warnings are in effect for wind gusts exceeding 40 mph. Lake effect snow is also expected downwind of the Great Lakes owing to strong cold air advection over the warmer lake waters. The Pacific Northwest will also have its share of noteworthy precipitation as an atmospheric river of moisture from the Pacific reaches the coast, particularly for western Oregon and Washington. Some locations could get several inches of rainfall by Tuesday, and heavy snowfall for the Cascades and northern Rockies, with some ranges getting over a foot of snow. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., an expansive high pressure ridge will expand from the Great Basin to the southern Plains. Warm and dry conditions are expected across most of the Southwest and Southern/Central Plains. Fire weather concerns will exist across parts of New Mexico and Texas with dry conditions and gusty winds. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php