Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 PM EST Sat Nov 07 2020 Valid 00Z Sun Nov 08 2020 - 00Z Tue Nov 10 2020 ...Heavy snow to develop over parts of the Sierra, Rockies and Northern Plains... ...Record or near record warmth continues over the Midwest and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic; record cold likely across California and Great Basin... ...Heavy rainfall and strong winds to impact southern Florida as Tropical Storm Eta moves approaches... A strong storm over the Northern Rockies will produce heavy snow across the Northern Rockies and to intensify as it spreads across Montana overnight Saturday through Sunday as the strong low pressure tracks northeast over the Northern High Plains. Snow totals of up to a foot are possible over the Sierra while much higher values around 2 feet are more likely over the Rockies and Northern Plains. Ice impacts will be marginal with this system. Northerly wind will increase to 20 to 30 mph with higher gusts on Sunday, causing considerable blowing and drifting snow. Blizzard conditions will also reduce visibilities to less than a quarter mile at times. Travel conditions will quickly deteriorate and will remain treacherous into Monday from the heavy snow along with considerable blowing and drifting snow. A cold air mass will filter into the West behind the aforementioned storm as high pressure settles over the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures will be cold enough through Monday to possibly break records, especially across California and the Great Basin where highs are expected to be between 20-30 degrees below average. Cold air will also descend over the Northern Rockies where highs may be between 20-30 degrees below average on Sunday. Meanwhile, record warmth will impact areas from the Midwest to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through Monday. High pressure over the Mid-Atlantic with clockwise circulation around the high will stream warm air northward over the Midwest and Northeast into parts of the Mid-Atlantic. The potential for record breaking temperatures continues over the Midwest and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic on Sunday. Elsewhere, an elevated fire risk area is in place over the Central High Plains as winds pick up due to an increased pressure gradient out ahead of the western U.S. low pressure system. Tropical moisture will stream northward today ahead of Tropical Storm Eta. Winds, thunderstorm activity and rainfall rates should pick up across the Florida peninsula as Eta approaches Cuba. The heaviest rainfall is likely to occur on Sunday as Eta crosses into the Northern Caribbean. There is a Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall leading to Flash Flooding over southern Florida as a result of the rain associated with Eta. Ziegenfelder Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php