Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 325 PM EDT Tue Oct 08 2019 Valid 00Z Wed Oct 09 2019 - 00Z Fri Oct 11 2019 ...Winter storm to bring heavy snow and strong winds across parts of the Northern Rockies and Northern Plains... ...Record-breaking cold temperatures possible across the Northwest on Thursday... ...A developing coastal storm could bring heavy rain and gusty winds to portions of the Northeast this week... A strong cold front crossing the Intermountain West will reach the Southern Plains and Upper Midwest by Thursday evening. Temperatures will turn sharply colder and well below normal behind the front, with widespread accumulating snow expected across much of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming on Wednesday, lasting into Thursday morning. The rain/snow transition line will reach the western Dakotas by Wednesday night and continue inching east across the northern Plains on Thursday. Snow will also spread into the Central Rockies and Central High Plains on Thursday. Winter Storm Watches and Warnings, as well as advisories are in effect for 6 to 12 inches of snow, with scattered higher amounts likely. As high pressure settles in across the Northwest on Thursday, low temperatures could drop into the teens and threaten several daily low temperature records. Meanwhile, high winds and low humidity across California and the Intermountain West ahead of the cold front will lead to critical fire weather. Wind advisories, as well as Red Flag Warnings are in effect For the eastern U.S., a cold front is exiting the East Coast today, but unsettled weather will remain for some areas. An area of low pressure will gradually develop offshore over the waters of the western Atlantic and will interact with the advancing cold front, acquiring some characteristics of a nor'easter. Although the highest winds and heaviest rain should remain offshore, locations from New Jersey to eastern Maine will likely have periods of rain and gusty winds for the middle of the week along with potentially higher tides than normal. Patchy areas of heavy showers and storms are also likely for the Florida Peninsula. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php