Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 256 AM EST Tue Dec 08 2020 Valid 12Z Tue Dec 08 2020 - 12Z Thu Dec 10 2020 ...Areas of rain and snow possible in parts of the Northeast and Northwest, much needed rainfall arrives in the Southwest mid-week... ...Critical risk of fire weather in Southern California today, Air Stagnation Advisories continue in the Northwest... ...Considerably mild conditions in the West and Plains, chilly temperatures in the East today... The next couple days feature a fairly tranquil weather pattern across much of the country. This is due to an expansive upper level ridge of high pressure stretching from the Northwest to the Mississippi Valley and dry northwesterly flow over the East Coast. There are a few exceptions where some precipitation is expected. Today, a storm system tracking into British Columbia is ushering a slug of precipitation into the Northwest. Meanwhile, a few snow showers are possible this morning in the eastern Great Lakes and central Appalachians. By Wednesday, a passing frontal boundary will trigger additional rain and snow showers over portions of the Northeast with light snow accumulations possible. Back to the West, more rain and mountain snow is on tap over the Northwest and northern Rockies while an upper low funnels Pacific moisture and periods of rain into parts of the drought stricken Southwest. The aforementioned upper low near is also generating other notable hazards in Southern California. A Critical Risk for fire weather is in place there today along with Red Flag Warnings that extend up the slopes of the southern Sierra Nevada. There are also High Wind Warnings in effect for the higher elevations of Southern California this morning as well as High Surf Warnings and Advisories along the coast. To the north, Air Stagnation Advisories are in place once again today and Wednesday in the Northwest due to build up of pollutants under the strong dome of high pressure aloft. Temperature-wise, a very mild temperature regime remains in place throughout the West and the Nation's Heartland today and Wednesday. A few daily record high temperatures may be broken in parts of the Northern Plains and Northern California today with highs soaring into the 60s and even surpassing 70 degrees in these regions. Meanwhile, chilly temperatures are entrenched across the eastern third of the country. Record cool max temperatures are possible in Florida where high temps will struggle to reach the mid-60s. Temps look to moderate closer to more seasonal levels by Wednesday and then return to slightly above normal levels late week. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php