Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 156 AM EST Mon Dec 17 2018 Valid 12Z Mon Dec 17 2018 - 12Z Wed Dec 19 2018 ...Unsettled for the Northeast and Pacific Northwest with mainly dry conditions for the central states... The occluded low pressure system that has affected the eastern U.S. with heavy rain over the past couple of days is now mainly offshore. However, there will be enough wrap-around moisture to the northwest of the low to generate a band of moderate to heavy snow across northern New England, particularly eastern Maine where 4 to 8 inches of snow is likely, with locally higher amounts. Mainly rain is expected closer to the New England coast before drier weather arrives on Tuesday. The weather pattern continues to remain quite active for the West Coast and Intermountain West as two separate events affect the region. The first is ongoing with a Pacific cold front bringing widespread rain and mountain snow from central California to the northern Rockies. There will not be much of a break before the second storm system arrives by Monday evening and lasting into Tuesday. This will also have a strong onshore flow associated with it, and given the strong pressure gradient, strong and gusty winds are likely for coastal areas and exposed terrain. Snowfall could easily exceed a foot for the Washington Cascades and the Idaho mountains with this second event. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., mainly dry conditions are expected from the Rockies to Florida as an expansive high pressure ridge governs the weather pattern for the first half of the week. Overall, temperatures are expected to be near to above average for the majority of the continental U.S. through Tuesday, with the exception of the Northeast U.S. on Tuesday where a brief surge of colder weather will produce readings below normal. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php