Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 254 PM EST Fri Jan 04 2019 Valid 00Z Sat Jan 05 2019 - 00Z Mon Jan 07 2019 ...More rain for portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Friday and Saturday... ...Widespread precipitation across the West including heavy snow along the Sierra this weekend.... ...Much above normal temperatures likely from the Central Plains into the Eastern states through the weekend... Low pressure centered over the Tennessee valley this afternoon will bring yet another round of precipitation to portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as it continues to track northeast late Friday and Saturday. Before changing to rain, a brief period of freezing rain is possible as precipitation spreads north across portions of the interior Northeast overnight. Otherwise, this system is expected to produce mainly rain while its progressive track should limit the potential for widespread heavy rainfall accumulations and flooding concerns. As the storms tracks east off of the coast, precipitation is expected to wane across much of the Northeast Saturday evening. Some light snows will accompany a cold front pushing across the Northeast on Sunday. Prior to the front's arrival, above to well-above normal temperatures are expected to continue across the Northeast through much of the weekend. The remainder of the eastern U.S., as well as much of the central U.S., will also continue to see above normal temperatures into the early part of next week. Meanwhile out West, a strong low pressure system is forecast to gradually weaken as it tracks northeast across the eastern Pacific toward the Northern California-Oregon coasts on Saturday. However, associated upper level energy is forecast to spread across the western U.S. - sending colder air and supporting widespread precipitation from the West Coast into the Rockies. By early Saturday, significant precipitation amounts and strong winds are expected for the Oregon and Northern California coast and northern Sierra, with heavy snows in the mountains. Precipitation will spread further south and east on Saturday - including Southern California during the day. Precipitation chances will increase across the Southwest into the central and southern Rockies, with significant amounts possible on Sunday. Pereira Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php