Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 353 PM EDT Thu Oct 17 2019 Valid 00Z Fri Oct 18 2019 - 00Z Sun Oct 20 2019 ...Gusty winds could continue over the Northeast through the evening... ...Tropical system will lead to increased precipitation across the Gulf Coast and Southeast... ...Heavy rain and mountain snow is expected for the Pacific Northwest into the Northern/Central Rockies... The strong low pressure system in the northeastern U.S. peaked with its lowest pressure this morning, and has been gradually weakening since. As the low continues weakening and pulls northeastward away from the U.S., gusty winds and rain showers are expected to die down overnight. Cool weather will persist into Friday along the Eastern Seaboard. Potential Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, currently located in the western Gulf of Mexico, is forecast to move into the Florida panhandle on Saturday morning as a post-tropical cyclone. This low will bring moisture into the Gulf Coast and Southeast states, leading to 2 to 4 inches of rain (with locally higher amounts of 5 inches) through the weekend. Winds of tropical storm force are expected along portions of the north-central and northeastern Gulf Coast, and storm surge is a threat as well. Refer to the National Hurricane Center for more information on this system. In the West, a series of cold fronts moving across will help create unsettled weather with increased precipitation chances. Precipitation should generally fall as rain in lower elevations and snow in higher elevations, as colder temperatures enter behind the fronts. Snow amounts of 1 to 3 feet are possible in the highest elevations of the Cascades, with snow totals of 1 to 2 feet in the Northern Rockies, Sawtooth Mountains, and Wind River Mountains/Tetons. Ahead of one front, gusty winds and warm temperatures with low humidities are expected through Thursday in the Central Great Basin to Rockies and High Plains, leading to Critical fire weather conditions and Red Flag Warnings. An Elevated threat of fire danger persists into Friday for portions of the Central/Southern High Plains. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php