Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 258 AM EST Sat Dec 05 2020 Valid 12Z Sat Dec 05 2020 - 12Z Mon Dec 07 2020 ...Significant winter storm to strike New England and blanket portions of the region in heavy snow; heavy rain and strong winds to impact the coastal Northeast today... ...Wintry weather in West Texas, an Elevated Risk for fire weather in southern California today; wet conditions in the Pacific Northwest, showers and storms possible in Florida Sunday night... An intensifying storm system is expected to become a powerful Nor'easter later today that slams New England with heavy snow, rain, and strong winds. After a wet morning along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast coast where over an inch of rainfall is anticipated, periods of snow will transpire over interior New England and fall heavily at times. The combination of heavy snowfall rates and strengthening winds will lead to treacherous to even impossible travel conditions, whiteout visibilities, and the potential for tree damage and power outages. Winter Storm Warnings have been issued from central Massachusetts to northern Maine where over a foot of snow is expected. Portions of New Hampshire and northern Maine could see totals approach two feet in spots. As the storm reaches the Gulf of Maine, temperatures on the backside of the system will plummet and allow for rain to change over to snow along the New England coast. When that changeover occurs and exactly where the storm's cold conveyor belt of heavy snow sets up determines if coastal areas pickup significant snowfall the second half of the day Saturday and into the evening hours. In addition to the rain and snow, strong winds will be felt along the New England coast where high surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion are possible. Elsewhere, wintry weather is also on tap for parts of West Texas where up to four inches of snow is possible. Slick spots are possible in these areas Saturday morning and into the early afternoon hours. Most of the western U.S. remains under the influence of a large dome of high pressure, keeping relatively tranquil weather in place throughout the Intermountain West and the Plains. Elevated fire weather conditions persist in the higher elevations of southern California today. Farther north, a weakening frontal boundary ushers in a round of showers to the Pacific Northwest Saturday evening and into early Sunday morning. High pressure builds back in overhead by the afternoon, leading to a drier second half of Sunday. Lastly, a new wave of low pressure developing in the Gulf of Mexico heads for Florida on Sunday with scattered showers and storms passing over the Sunshine State Sunday night into Monday morning. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php