Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 247 AM EST Mon Dec 14 2020 Valid 12Z Mon Dec 14 2020 - 12Z Wed Dec 16 2020 ...Locally heavy rain across the Mid-Atlantic today, with a brief burst of snow possible from the central Appalachians to the Northeast... ...Light snow will spread from the Intermountain West through the central Rockies today, before eventually reaching the central Plains by Tuesday... ...Major winter storm set to begin across the Mid-Atlantic Wednesday morning... A potent low pressure system currently located over the Southeast is forecast to zip across the Mid-Atlantic today, bringing locally heavy rain and a brief change-over to snow. The heaviest rainfall amounts, around an inch, will likely be found from northern North Carolina through central Virginia and into southern Maryland. Further north and northwest, colder air will allow for precipitation to fall as snow from the central Appalachians to the Northeast. Around 3 to 6 inches of snow could accumulate across higher elevated regions in West Virginia, with 1 to 2 inches possible from south-central Pennsylvania to western Connecticut. As the low pressure system exits the East Coast Monday evening, gusty northwest winds will bring colder air into the region. Additional light and festive snow will be found throughout much of the Intermountain West and central Rockies today. As the upper-level trough associated with the light snow pushes east, precipitation is forecast to spread into the central Plains by Tuesday. Snowfall amounts should remain on the lighter side, but could add up to 4 inches across parts of southern Nebraska, western Kansas, and north-central Oklahoma. By Wednesday morning, this same upper-level trough combined with a developing area of low pressure off the Southeast coast is set to eventually bring major winter weather impacts to parts of the Mid-Atlantic. A strong area of high pressure is forecast to be situated over southern Quebec, Canada. This will help filter subfreezing temperatures east of the Appalachian Mountains and as far south as northern Georgia. A mixture of sleet, snow, and freezing rain could begin to cause impacts across western North Carolina as early as Wednesday morning. By this time frame, the storm will just be in the beginning stages. Be sure to check your local forecast for updates as we draw closer to the event. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php