Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 356 PM EDT Wed Oct 24 2018 Valid 00Z Thu Oct 25 2018 - 00Z Sat Oct 27 2018 ...Strengthening low pressure system will cause rain from Texas to the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast... ...Active weather to continue for the northwestern U.S.... An upper-level trough is expected to intensify and move from the Four Corners region into the Plains and Mississippi Valley over the next couple of days. At the surface, a low pressure system will move eastward along the Gulf Coast. This preexisting low could be strengthened by the mid-level energy from what was formerly Willa, and remnant moisture from Willa as well as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will create widespread rain. Rain and some thunderstorms will focus in Texas and the Lower Mississippi Valley tonight, shifting into the Southeast and Tennessee Valley by Thursday evening. Eastern parts of the Ohio Valley region, the Carolinas, and the Mid-Atlantic are then forecast to get rain on Friday due to this low. In terms of flash flooding, there are Marginal Risks in place along the Gulf Coast, where thunderstorms could create higher rain rates. Generally, 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected from this low pressure system. In the Northwest, a strong jet stream as well as multiple surface fronts will create continued chances of rain. The heaviest precipitation will occur in the coastal ranges and the Cascades, and most is expected to fall as rain, though the higher peaks could see some snow. Lower elevations will receive rain as well, from the Pacific Northwest into the Northern Great Basin and Northern Rockies. Elsewhere, snow in the Northeast will wind down tonight, with only light snow showers after this evening. Along a frontal system, light rain is forecast for the Central and Northern Plains on Wednesday night into Thursday, shifting northeast into the Upper Great Lakes region by Friday morning. The ongoing temperature pattern of warmer than average in the western U.S. and colder than average in the eastern U.S. (with the exception of Florida) will continue through the end of the week. On the western side of the strengthening low pressure system, parts of the Carolinas and western Virginia will only see temperatures reach the 40s on Friday, which could set records for cold high temperatures. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php