Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 254 AM EST Fri Feb 15 2019 Valid 12Z Fri Feb 15 2019 - 12Z Sun Feb 17 2019 ...More snow for the western U.S. and mild for the eastern U.S. on Friday... The western U.S. continues to have a very busy weather pattern, but not quite to the degree as Thursday with all of the heavy rain and flooding across much of central and southern California. The storm system responsible for that has moved inland and is weakening. However, heavy snow will continue across the Sierra Nevada through Friday and into the upcoming weekend. Winter storm warnings remain in effect for the higher elevations, with an additional 1 to 3 feet of snow possible over the next few days. As this second storm system pushes eastward across the Intermountain West, precipitation amounts across California are expected to decrease in coverage and intensity by Saturday night. Significant snow is also expected for the central and northern Rockies as this Pacific moisture moves inland. A much colder airmass has surged southward from Canada behind a strong cold front, with temperatures on the order of 10 to 20 degrees below normal on Friday for many areas. A wave of low pressure developing on the frontal boundary should produce enough ascent and moisture for a band of light to moderate snow from Montana to Missouri through Friday night. By Saturday, a corridor of snow can be expected from eastern Missouri to the Mid-Atlantic region. Many of these areas are currently under winter weather advisories. Mild conditions are expected across the Gulf Coast region and eastern U.S. ahead of the cold front to close out the week before a return to reality and colder weather arrives in time for the weekend. Widespread 60s and 70s are expected for high temperatures on Friday, and the warmth retreats farther to the south near the Gulf Coast region by Saturday. Hamrick/Reinhart Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php