Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 234 AM EST Sat Dec 1 2018 Valid 12Z Sat Dec 1 2018 - 12Z Mon Dec 3 2018 ...Multi-faceted storm system over the central-eastern U.S. is expected to result in severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and blizzard conditions... An active weather pattern will be in place across the central U.S. this weekend as a strong surface low tracks from Kansas to the Great Lakes region. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected from the middle Mississippi River valley to the East Coast. In the warm sector of the developing surface low, severe weather will be possible from southern Louisiana to the Ohio Valley. The Storm Prediction Center currently has much of that region delineated in a slight risk area for severe thunderstorms, given the presence of favorable wind shear and thermodynamic parameters. There will also be the potential for some heavy rain and perhaps some localized flooding across parts of the Gulf Coast region, where 1 to 3 inches of rain will be possible. Winter weather will also be a major component of this mid-latitude cyclone to the north and west of the occluded surface low. Winter storm warnings are currently in effect from eastern Montana to northern Iowa, with the potential for 8 inches or more of snow, especially across southern South Dakota and northern Nebraska. Blizzard conditions will also be possible at times given the strong pressure gradient that is anticipated north of the surface low, making travel conditions hazardous along with possible power outages. Temperatures are expected to be quite mild ahead of the cold front from the southern plains to the Mid-Atlantic and points south through early Sunday. Afternoon highs could be as much as 15 to 20 degrees above normal south of the warm front, with readings well into the 70s and reaching the mid 80s across much of Florida. Much colder weather will become established over much of the Intermountain West and then the northern plains by the beginning of the work week on Monday. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php