Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 235 PM EST Fri Jan 03 2020 Valid 00Z Sat Jan 04 2020 - 00Z Mon Jan 06 2020 ...Locally heavy rain and thunderstorms possible across the Southeast today... ...Light to moderate snow expected for portions of the Midwest to Northeast... ...Precipitation continues in the Pacific Northwest through the weekend with high winds likely across the Northern High Plains... An upper-level trough over the central U.S. will move across the eastern U.S. over the next couple of days, along with a couple of cold fronts at the surface. Rain will continue to spread across portions of the East today as ample moisture streams ahead of these features. Locally heavy rainfall, isolated flash flooding, and a few strong thunderstorms are possible across portions of the Southeast in particular. Temperatures will be mild this evening into Saturday morning, with record high minimum temperatures in the 60s and 70s possible tomorrow morning across Florida into the Georgia and Carolina coast. A weak clipper system will track across the Midwest today and tonight, bringing light to locally moderate snow from southern Minnesota to central Illinois. As upper-level energy continues eastward, snow is expected to spread over the interior Northeast and higher elevations of the Central Appalachians on Saturday. Snow totals of 3 to 5 inches are currently forecast. Farther west, a strong frontal system is forecast to push through the Pacific Northwest tonight and move quickly southeastward across the Rockies and Great Basin Saturday. This will lead to heavy higher elevation snow in the Cascades, with snow in the Northern Rockies as well. Lower elevations and coastal portions of the Northwest should remain rain. High winds are also likely in the Northwest with a potent upper-level system and the aforementioned front. High Wind Watches and Warnings, as well as Wind Advisories are currently in place for portions of the Pacific Northwest and the Northern and Central High Plains. By Sunday this system is forecast to enter the central U.S. and bring gusty winds across the Midwest, with light snow across the northern Great Lakes. Meanwhile, another round of rain and mountain snow will enter the Pacific Northwest on Sunday. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php