Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 336 AM EDT Fri Oct 11 2019 Valid 12Z Fri Oct 11 2019 - 12Z Sun Oct 13 2019 ...Early season major winter storm continues across parts of the Dakotas today... ...Heavy rain and gusty winds are expected to linger over southeastern New England into Saturday... ...Extremely critical fire weather conditions continue on Friday across parts of Southern California... An early season major winter storm continues across the Northern Plains tonight as an anomalously cold air mass drops into the Central U.S. and interacts with a vigorous storm system. Heavy snowfall across the Northern Plains will continue Friday into Saturday as the storm system is slow to exit the region. The heaviest axis should focus across eastern North Dakota where an additional 1 to 2 feet of snow is expected. Strong and gusty winds will accompany this system resulting in blowing snow and dangerous travel. Blizzard warnings are in effect across portions of north-central North Dakota. A very cold air mass has spread across the Western U.S. and into the Plains, and widespread record lows remain likely again on Friday morning for many locations from the Southern/Central Plains to the Great Basin. Along and ahead of the sharp cold front from the Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley, heavy rainfall is possible on Friday, though the front will be progressive enough to limit a widespread flash flood threat. Meanwhile, a low pressure system lingering off the Northeast coast will continue to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to extreme southeastern New England on Friday. An additional inch of rainfall is still possible before the rain begins tapering off on Saturday as the low finally drifts away from the coast. Out West, critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions will continue on Friday across portions of southern California due to gusty winds and a very dry airmass. These conditions should subside by the weekend as an upper level trough approaches the region. Santorelli Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php