Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 243 PM EST Wed Nov 18 2020 Valid 00Z Thu Nov 19 2020 - 00Z Sat Nov 21 2020 ...More rain, mountain snow, and gusty conditions out West; Elevated Risk for fire weather in the Plains... ...Warmer than normal temperatures from the Four Corners states to the Midwest, chilly temps in the East return to above normal levels by week's end... The region expected to see the most active weather through the remainder of the work-week is the Northwest where more rounds of showers and mountain snow are on tap this evening and into Thursday. Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect over the northern Sierra Nevada through this evening with snowfall diminishing overnight. The Pacific Northwest can expect unsettled weather to persist through Thursday, but a brief break in the active pattern arrives Friday as high pressure moves in aloft. Mountain snow is also on tap across the northern Rockies with the highest elevations; from the Sierra Nevada and Cascades to the Sawtooth and Teton Ranges, picking up over a foot of accumulating snowfall. In addition, strong winds continue through this evening across the Great Basin and central Wyoming where High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories are in place. Blustery conditions are also present in the southern and central Plains, which combined with low humidity levels is fostering a favorable fire weather environment. This has led to the issuance of Red Flag Warnings and an Elevated Risk in SPC's Fire Weather Outlook today. An Elevated risk for fire weather conditions is in place over central and western Nebraska on Thursday. Much of the eastern half of the Lower 48 can expect mostly dry conditions with the lone exceptions being the eastern coast of Florida and the western Gulf Coast where spotty showers are possible. The tranquil stretch of weather is due to an expansive area of high pressure from the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast. Southerly and southwesterly flow on the backside of the high pressure system is causing much above normal temperatures to engulf the Southwest and Heartland today with high temperatures as much as 30 degrees above normal. Record breaking temperatures are likely to occur from parts of the central Plains to the Desert Southwest today and Thursday. The abnormally warm temperature regime for mid-November spreads east into the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley on Thursday, then eventually reaches the East Coast by Friday where much cooler temperatures currently reside. In fact, some locations in the Northeast could be 25-30 degrees warmer when comparing today's high temperatures, which are hovering just below freezing over the interior Northeast, to Friday's where highs may reach 60 degrees. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php