Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 304 AM EST Sun Feb 18 2018 Valid 12Z Sun Feb 18 2018 - 12Z Tue Feb 20 2018 ...Heavy snow possible over the Cascades, Northern and Central Rockies, and the Upper Great Lakes... ...Heavy to moderate snow possible over parts of the Northeast... ...Rain/freezing rain possible over parts of the Middle/Upper Mississippi Valley... Heavy precipitation is already underway from the Pacific Northwest to the Northern Rockies and is forecast to spread south into the California, Great Basin and Central Rockies as a surface cold front plunges though. Strong winds will lead to blowing and drifting of snow. Most ares west of the continental divide have warnings in effect due to the this winter storm- including Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and High Wind Warnings. This same front will help generate showers and thunderstorms from the Southern Plains to the Northeast by the middle of the week. An axis of higher rainfall amounts will align from northeast Texas through the Middle Mississippi Valley and to Great Lakes region as the front stalls over the central U.S. Areal averages within this axis will be 2 to 4 inches with pockets nearing 5 inches. Flooding concerns will be elevated for Tuesday- slight and moderate risks have been issued. An area of rain/freezing rain will develop over parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley moving into parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley by Monday evening. Travel will likely become hazardous within this transition zone. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php