Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 410 AM EDT Thu Oct 25 2018 Valid 12Z Thu Oct 25 2018 - 12Z Sat Oct 27 2018 ...The stage is set for the first nor'easter of the season to develop along the East Coast by Saturday... ...Unsettled weather to continue for the northwestern U.S. into the northern Plains and the Midwest... With the synoptic pattern continues to favor an upper-level trough over the eastern U.S., the stage is set for the first nor'easter of the season to develop along the East Coast by Saturday. The frontal wave that has been nearly stationary off the Texas coast for the past few days is being energized by upper-level moisture originated from former Hurricane Willa as well as a modest upper-level trough moving into the central/southern Plains. Under this synoptic setup, the frontal wave will adopt a steady eastward motion along the Gulf Coast through Friday while gradually expanding in size. Showers and thunderstorms will be widespread across the lower Mississippi Valley today, moving into much of the southern U.S. on Friday ahead of the low pressure center together with increasing northeasterly winds. By Friday night, much of the Mid-Atlantic into the Appalachians will see rain, which could become heavy at times overnight as the low pressure system begins to intensify more rapidly near the Mid-Atlantic coast. Coastal sections from the Mid-Atlantic into southern New England will likely see the strongest winds Friday night into Saturday morning with weather conditions typical of a nor'easter. Conditions should be much calmer in the interior sections but expect a general area of rain to spread eastward from the Plains States today into the Ohio Valley on Friday. On the other hand, interior New England should see wintry precipitation develop Saturday morning as the low pressure system approaches from the south. Across the Pacific Northwest, a strong jet stream as well as multiple surface fronts will lead to 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. By Saturday morning, some of the rain will make its way into the northern High Plains as an Alberta clipper develops. 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 with considerable clouds and rain, parts of the Carolinas and western Virginia will only see temperatures reach the 40s on Friday, which could set records for cold high temperatures. Kong/Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php