Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 312 AM EST Fri Feb 26 2021 Valid 12Z Fri Feb 26 2021 - 12Z Sun Feb 28 2021 ...Heavy mountain snow and gusty winds will impact portions of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies through Saturday... ...Numerous showers and thunderstorms likely from the Lower/Middle Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio Valleys to Southern Appalachians through the weekend... ...Light snow and wintry mix to spread throughout the Appalachians, Northeast, and New England between this evening and Saturday... In the Northwest, a potent upper-level trough is forecast to drop southward into the region today, leading to continued snow in higher elevations as well as the potential for high winds. Snowfall totals are expected to be 1 to 2 feet in the peaks of the Cascades and Northern Rockies before snow winds down Saturday. The Wasatch and Wind River Mountains/Tetons could see snowfall amounts of 6 to 12 inches. Meanwhile, high winds with gusts over 50 mph are possible in some areas, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Winter Storm Warnings/Winter Weather Advisories and High Wind Warnings/Wind Advisories are in effect for portions of the Northwest given these threats. With this pattern, cooler than average temperatures are likely, with highs about 10-20 degrees below average by Saturday. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are possible over the next few days across portions of the central and eastern U.S. near meandering frontal boundaries. In particular, through Saturday night, rain of 1 to locally 3 inches is likely across portions of the Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley eastward into the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valleys and toward the Southern Appalachians. Localized flooding and flash flooding will become risks, especially into the weekend as rain could fall onto already wet ground. Therefore a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall is in place today into tonight, with a Slight Risk for Saturday. Additionally, the Storm Prediction Center has outlooked a Marginal Risk of severe weather centered over the Lower Mississippi Valley today for potential wind and hail threats. By this evening and into the first half of this weekend, a wave of showers associated with the aforementioned frontal system and an approaching wave of low pressure is forecast to enter a colder airmass in place from the Central Appalachians to northern New England. A few inches of snow and a glaze of freezing rain will be possible, and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for portions of the Appalachians. Light rain is expected for coastal regions and major cities along the I-95 corridor during this time frame. Temperatures will rise to above normal later Saturday throughout the central and eastern U.S., so additional precipitation should fall as rain, with the exception of northern Maine. Tate/Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php