Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 246 PM EST Wed Dec 06 2017 Valid 00Z Thu Dec 07 2017 - 00Z Sat Dec 09 2017 ...Heavy lake effect snow likely to continue for a few days downwind from the Great Lakes... ...Accumulating snowfall possible across parts of southwest Texas with heavy rain possible from the Southern Plains to the Southeast... ...Critical to extreme fire weather conditions expected to persist across portions of southern California... Cold air moving over the still relatively warm lakes will allow for moderate to locally heavy lake effect snowfall to continue downwind of the Great Lakes through the rest of the week. Winter storm warnings, advisories, and lake effect snow warnings are in effect and snowfall totals over the two day period could be as high as 10 to 15 inches, especially for those locations immediately downwind of Lakes Ontario and Erie. A deep upper-level trough extending across much of the U.S. east of the Rockies will keep the chilly temperatures around for at least the next couple of days. Particularly across parts of the Southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley, afternoon highs may be as much as 15 to 30 degrees below normal. These cold temperatures combined with energy aloft moving into the Southern Plains may also bring the possibility for accumulating snowfall overnight tonight and into tomorrow morning for portions of southwest Texas. Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect for this region where 2 to 6 inches of snow is forecast. To the east, a lingering and slow to move frontal boundary across the northern Gulf of Mexico will allow for moderate to heavy rainfall to continue across portions of the southern Plains, the Gulf Coast, and into the Southeast Thursday and Friday. On Friday, a surface low developing along the front would help to draw in additional cold air across the Southeast which may allow for rainfall on the back edge of this precipitation shield to change over to snow. At this time, appreciable accumulation is not likely, but the chance for snowflakes across parts of the Southeast and eventually into the Mid-Atlantic are not out of the question as the low moves well off the Atlantic coastline. Finally, amplified upper-level ridging across the Western U.S. will keep above normal temperatures and dry weather in the forecast through the short range period. Gusty winds combined with the warm and dry airmass will keep dangerous fire weather conditions elevated across parts of Southern California. Wildfires across this region are ongoing and a critical to extreme risk is expected to continue through the rest of the week. Reg flag and high wind warnings are in effect across this region, which includes the Los Angeles metro and surrounding areas. Please monitor products issued by the local offices in those regions for additional information. Santorelli Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php