Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 256 AM EST Wed Mar 03 2021 Valid 12Z Wed Mar 03 2021 - 12Z Fri Mar 05 2021 ...A low pressure system will spread precipitation across the southwestern to south-central CONUS... ...Elevated to Critical Risks of fire weather are in place for portions of the Southwest to Southern High Plains... A surface low pressure system along with an upper-level low are forecast to move across Southern California into the Four Corners states through Thursday and into the Southern Plains early Friday. Along this track, precipitation is forecast to spread across these regions, with rain in the lower elevations and snow in higher elevations. Snow could accumulate to a few inches in the mountains of Southern California, the Mogollon Rim, and Wasatch, while the Central Rockies and San Juan Mountains could see 6-12 inches of snow through Friday morning. Showers and a few thunderstorms are forecast for the Southern/Central Plains late Thursday into Friday. Another threat with this system will be fire danger. An Elevated Risk of fire weather as well as Red Flag Warnings are in effect for much of Arizona today. On Thursday, as winds increase and humidity dries out behind the cold front, a Critical Risk of fire weather is in place for the Southern High Plains. Elsewhere, the Southeast should see rain and thunderstorms ending today after a low pressure system moves away into the Atlantic. Light snow is possible in the interior Northeast through Thursday, with snow accumulating to a few inches possible in higher elevations. The Pacific Northwest can expect precipitation chances to increase late Thursday into Friday as an upper-level low and frontal system approach. Temperature-wise, the Northern Plains should continue to see rather mild temperatures with highs nearing or exceeding 60 degrees over the next several days, about 20-30 degrees above average. The Southeast can expect cooler than normal temperatures today, while Thursday will be chillier than average in the Northeast. Tate Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php