Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 253 AM EST Fri Jan 04 2019 Valid 12Z Fri Jan 04 2019 - 12Z Sun Jan 06 2019 ...Widespread rainfall impacts the Southeast to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast... ...Rain and mountain snows expected to begin impacting California by the weekend... ...Much above normal temperatures likely from the Central Plains into the Eastern states Friday and Saturday... A robust storm system currently moving through the Southeast will continue into the Mid-Atlantic on Friday and off the Northeast coast by Saturday. Widespread rain, locally heavy at times, will accompany this system but the quick movement should limit the flash flood threat to marginal. Upper level ridging builds back in behind this system which should keep temperatures above average all the way from the Northern High Plains to the Eastern Seaboard into the weekend with afternoon highs 20 to 30 degrees above normal possible, especially for the Central states. Due to the warmth, any precipitation associated with this system will be rain, with the exception of light snow showers downwind of the Great Lakes or in northern Maine. Meanwhile out West, a weakening upper level shortwave just off the Northwest coast will continue to allow for rain and mountain snows across the Pacific Northwest today. A stronger storm makes its way towards the West coast by Friday which will begin spreading precipitation into California and parts of the Pacific Northwest by the weekend. Heavy snow accumulations are possible in the higher terrain of northern California and the Sierra Nevadas. Light accumulations are also possible farther north into the Oregon/Washington Cascades. Precipitation should spread into the Southwest by Sunday as this system pushes inland. Temperatures out west should initially be near normal, with slightly below normal values creeping in by the weekend beneath the main upper level trough. Santorelli Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php