Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 342 AM EDT Fri Mar 26 2021 Valid 12Z Fri Mar 26 2021 - 12Z Sun Mar 28 2021 ...Exiting storm system to bring gusty winds to the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast today... ...Heavy rain and the threat of severe thunderstorms to enter the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valley regions on Saturday... ...Record warmth expected along the East Coast, with below average temperatures forecast across much of the Rockies and Southwest... A strengthening low pressure system is forecast to dash across the Lower Great Lakes this afternoon and pass over northern New England tonight. The main impacts will be associated with gusty winds from the Ohio Valley through the Central Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. Wind gusts up to 60 mph in these regions will have the potential to blown down trees and power lines. Travel may also become difficult at times for high profile vehicles. High Wind Warnings and Wind Advisories have been issued. Flooding is also a concern across northern Vermont and northeast New York, as the combination of moderate rain and snowmelt enters swollen rivers in the region. Flood Watches are currently in effect. Farther west, the next system to track across the Lower 48 is forecast to bring light mountain snow to the central and southern Rockies today. Snowfall totals will exceed 6 inches across the high terrain of Colorado. As the upper-level trough swings east on Saturday, an abundant amount of moisture will surge north from the Gulf of Mexico and into the Lower Mississippi and Tennessee valleys. This will aid in producing widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region through early Sunday morning. Total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are forecast from southern Arkansas to Kentucky. Many of these locations have seen above normal rainfall over the last month; therefore, additional rainfall could exacerbate flooding concerns. WPC has issued a Slight Risk of Excessive Rainfall for Saturday and includes much of the aforementioned areas. The threat of severe thunderstorms is also a concern given the rich atmospheric moisture in place and approaching cold front. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Enhanced Risk of severe weather on Saturday that includes eastern Arkansas, west Tennessee, and far northern Mississippi. Damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes will all be possible with these storms. The final Friday of the month will feature record warmth along the East Coast as high temperatures soar into the 70s and 80s, with a few locations in Florida reaching the low 90s today and Saturday. Record daily high temperatures could be set in many spots from Massachusetts to central Florida. Temperatures will take a dip on Saturday, but still remain above average throughout much of the eastern half of the country. The only region to experience below normal temperatures over the next few days will be the Southwest, Intermountain West, and Rockies. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php