Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 250 PM EST Thu Nov 19 2020 Valid 00Z Fri Nov 20 2020 - 00Z Sun Nov 22 2020 ...Unsettled weather continues in the Pacific Northwest tonight, gusty winds and elevated fire weather in parts of the Plains and Ohio Valley today... ...Warmer than normal temperatures to engulf much of the eastern U.S. to close out the week... ...Wet weather returns to the portions of the nation's mid-section Saturday... The seemingly never-ending stretch of unsettled weather in the Pacific Northwest is about ready to break for at least a short period of time. More coastal/valley rain and mountain snow is on tap tonight and into Friday, but expect most lower elevations to dry out more and more throughout the day. High pressure then builds in overhead on Saturday, making for a dry and seasonal Saturday for the region. Farther east, a passing upper level disturbance generated an area of wintry mix over parts of the northern Plains today. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued through this evening from northern North Dakota to northwest Minnesota. Also, gusty winds and low relative humidity are fostering a favorable fire weather environment. Elevated Risks from SPC and Red Flag Warnings have been issued as a result from the Plains to the Ohio Valley. From the Plains to the East Coast, abnormally mild temperatures for late November are likely on Friday with daily temperature anomalies ranging between 10 and 25 degrees above normal. Much above normal temperatures are also likely in the Southwest where a few daily record high temperatures may be challenged today and Friday. Saturday's warmest temperatures versus normal will be focused across the southern third of the U.S. and along the East Coast. Much of the South can expect high temperatures in the 70s while the Mid-Atlantic enjoys highs in the 60s. Meanwhile, the West Coast is set to experience seasonally mild temperatures and dry conditions. The next weather-maker over the Lower 48 unfolds Saturday as a frontal boundary becomes the focus for producing areas of rain from the central Plains to the mid-Mississippi Valley. Showers may develop in some locations as early as Friday evening. This in turn also forces temperatures to fall to unseasonably cool levels in these regions. A cold front associated with an area of low pressure in the south-central Plains introduces cooler conditions to the southern High Plains late Saturday and into Sunday. Look for rainfall chances to increase in the lower and eastern Great Lakes by Sunday, as well as the Upper Midwest as a cold front approaches the region from southern Canada. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php