Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 PM EST Mon Nov 27 2017 Valid 00Z Tue Nov 28 2017 - 00Z Thu Nov 30 2017 ...Abundant warmth across the Four Corners and Great Plains will lead to many record temperatures today... ...Enhanced wildfire danger over the Four Corners into the southern/central High Plains... ...Heavy rain/snow are likely across the Olympics and Washington Cascades... In advance of a pair of systems tracking through the western United States, strong southerly flow over the center of the country will bring record warmth to much of the region. As of 1 PM CST, much of the central Rockies/Great Plains are into the 70s which are nearing the daily maximum temperature records. It appears likely a few dozen locations will see their November 27th records broken today given the current observations. Relative to late November climatology, high temperatures today range from 25 to 35 degrees above normal with maximum values centered over western Kansas up to central South Dakota. While a cold front is forecast sweep through these locations later tonight, the intruding air mass will be of Pacific origin which will somewhat limit how cold it will get the following days. Expected highs over the central United States should be in the low to mid 50s which is still above average for this time of year. The combination of low relative humidity values and gusty winds ahead of the approaching front will enhance the threat for wildfires across the Four Corners eastward into the southern/central High Plains. Through Tuesday morning, the latest Storm Prediction Center fire weather outlook shows a critical risk across these general areas. Much of this threat should be alleviated upon cold frontal passage although some lingering risk may be possible over sections of the central Plains on Tuesday. A potent upper level trough sweeping through the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday will bring a bout of heavy rain/snow to much of western Washington extending southward into areas of northwestern Oregon. Ample lift from the trough itself coupled with strong upslope flow will invigorate an extensive axis of heavy precipitation across the Olympics eastward into the Washington Cascades. Through Wednesday afternoon, expect a broad area of 1 to 3 inches of precipitation over these ranges with snow likely over the higher elevations. Also, expect gusty winds at times over these locations given fairly strong flow at summit level and above. While heading farther east, the system should weaken considerably but still be a focus for light to moderate precipitation across the upper Intermountain West into the northern Rockies. Elsewhere, split flow in the jet streams will allow a closed low to peel off and slide eastward from northern New Mexico into the Ozarks on Tuesday/Wednesday. Initially, some light snowfall accumulations are possible over central Colorado as the upper low crosses overhead. Eventually showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms are in the forecast over areas of eastern Oklahoma/Kansas as the system intercepts more appreciable moisture content. Looking farther east, persistent easterly flow across the southeastern states coupled with a few meandering disturbances aloft will keep conditions unsettled over south Florida the next couple of days. It does appear the heaviest and most persistent activity should remain offshore however. Rubin-Oster Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php