Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 418 PM EDT Mon Oct 19 2020 Valid 00Z Tue Oct 20 2020 - 00Z Thu Oct 22 2020 ...Below average temperatures continue from Pacific Northwest to Upper Midwest through Wednesday; above average elsewhere... ...Chance for wintry weather for Northern Rockies/Plains and Upper Midwest through Wednesday... ...Fire threat returns to northern California on Tuesday... Cool air will filter into the north and northwestern U.S. behind a pair of low pressure systems over the next couple of days. Temperatures will fall on the order of 15-25 degrees below average in some areas over the Northern Rockies/Plains and Upper Midwest through Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to remain above average across the rest of the U.S. through the short range with parts of the Southern Plains, Northern Appalachians and Northern California seeing high temperatures on the order of 15-20 degrees above average. Red Flag Warnings and Air Quality Alerts are in effect for parts of northern and central California respectively as above average temperatures, enhanced winds and abundant fuels will support elevated fire weather conditions on Tuesday, according to the Storm Prediction Center. With air temperatures remaining below average in the Northern Rockies/Plains and the Upper Midwest over the next couple of days, the series of passing low pressure systems may produce a chance of wintry precipitation across those areas. Light high-elevation snow and low-elevation rain are possible for the Cascades on Tuesday, while the heavy snow threat exists over much of Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin on Tuesday. There's a higher chance for heavy snow over parts of central and western Montana on Wednesday. A low pressure system currently extending from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into the Northeast will lift north and east as it produces rain and scattered to isolated thunderstorms along its boundary over the next couple of days. Scattered to isolated thunderstorms are also expected for the Florida Peninsula during the short range period. Kebede Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php