Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 252 PM EST Tue Jan 05 2021 Valid 00Z Wed Jan 06 2021 - 00Z Fri Jan 08 2021 ...Heavy precipitation continues to impact northern California, the Pacific Northwest, and into the northern/central Rockies... ...Light snow is forecast for the northern/central Plains Tuesday night into Wednesday as showers and thunderstorms develop near the western Gulf Coast... ...Moderate to heavy rainfall expected across portions of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley... Lower elevation rain and mountain snow will overspread the Pacific Northwest over the next few days as active low pressure systems approach the region. Rainfall accumulations upwards of 3 inches will be possible all along the Coast and Coastal Ranges of Washington and Oregon through Thursday morning. Precipitation will vary from moderate to heavy at times across the area, with 6 to 12 inches of snow forecast for portions of the Olympic and Cascade Ranges as well as parts of the northern Rockies through Wednesday. Some of the highest peaks may exceed 12 inches of snow. The initial frontal system will continue to bring snow to parts of the Northern and Central Rockies through the evening, reaching the Plains by tonight. Accumulations will generally be light/a few inches at most as this weak system progresses southeast by midweek. The main energy of this system will then slide further southeast into the Southern Plains as return moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will begin to fuel thunderstorms across eastern Texas ahead of a low pressure system forming along the front early on Wednesday. Areal coverage and intensity of showers and thunderstorms will increase across the South Plains/Lower Mississippi Valley as the storm system strengthens. Isolated areas of heavy rainfall may develop near the advancing front, increasing the risk for localized flash flooding conditions-- especially near extreme northeast Texas/Louisiana/southern Arkansas/southeast Oklahoma on Wednesday where WPC has a Marginal Risk for excessive rainfall in effect. SPC has also identified this region as having a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms to develop. The eastern third of the country will be a little more quiet. Light snow showers will be possible across the Great Lakes, Northeast, and central Appalachians. Otherwise, temperatures are forecast to be right around normal for this time of year with cooler than average temperatures found across Florida and the Southeast. Campbell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php