Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 248 AM EDT Thu Oct 17 2019 Valid 12Z Thu Oct 17 2019 - 12Z Sat Oct 19 2019 ...Coastal storm will continue to bring heavy rain and gusty winds continue into Thursday for parts of New England... ...Heavy rain and mountain snow expected for the Pacific Northwest into the Northern/Central Rockies... ...A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico may bring increased precipitation to parts of the Gulf Coast by Friday and into the weekend... A rapidly intensifying coastal storm currently located in southern New England will continue to bring heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and coastal erosion to parts of New England through Thursday before lifting quickly into eastern Canada by Friday. Rain and possible higher elevation snow showers may linger into Friday for portions of interior New England. Behind this system, temperatures should be rather cool for October standards, with daytime highs as much as 10 to 20 degrees below normal for much of the Appalachians into the Northeast. Below normal temperatures also extend southward towards the Gulf Coast as well. The Northwest stays unsettled through the short range period as a series of cold fronts make their way onshore. Heavy rain and mountain snows are possible across the Pacific Northwest Thursday and Friday. Some moisture moves inland bringing lower elevation rain and higher elevation snows to parts of the northern and central Rockies as well. Temperatures across the West Coast states should be below normal behind the fronts, though from the Central Rockies to the High Plains, daytime highs could be 10 to 20+ degrees above average. Additionally, low humidities and gusty winds combine to create an elevated to critical fire weather threat from the central High Plains to the central Rockies and parts of the central Great Basin. Red Flag warnings remain in effect for much of the region. By Friday, a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico, currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center for tropical development, will bring the potential for heavy rainfall to portions of the Gulf Coast states into the weekend. The heaviest precipitation should focus along and north of a nearly stationary boundary draped along the coast. Refer to NHC for the latest information regarding development potential for this system. Santorelli Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php