Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 344 AM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021 Valid 12Z Sun Mar 28 2021 - 12Z Tue Mar 30 2021 ...Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain possible today across the southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic... ...Strong cold front to bring gusty winds and heavy mountain snow across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies over the next few days... ...High winds and a Critical Risk of fire weather found across the Northern High Plains today and Southern High Plains on Monday... A low pressure system located over the Upper Great Lakes this morning and a trailing cold front will be the focus for active weather across the Eastern U.S. today. Heavy rain overnight and this morning has led to numerous flash flood reports and water rescues across Tennessee. Flash Flood Watches and Warnings remain in effect. The threat of heavy rain and severe thunderstorms will shift east and into the southern Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic by midday. The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted southeast Virginia and far northeast North Carolina as having the best chance for severe weather. Damaging wind gusts and isolated tornadoes will be the main concern across the region. Locally heavy rain may also lead to flash flooding across the southern Appalachians. Farther north, moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms will swing through the Northeast this evening. Rain could mix with snow across far northern New England. As the cold front exits into the Atlantic Ocean on Monday, chilly temperatures and gusty winds will enter the region, as well as light snow showers for the Interior Northeast. Meanwhile, a strong cold front is also set to impact the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and Northern High Plains today before quickly pushing into the Southern Plains by Tuesday morning. Heavy mountain snow will be found across the Cascades of Washington and Oregon, the Clearwater region of Idaho, as well as northwest Montana. Specific snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet are possible across the higher elevations in Washington, where Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued. However, the most widespread hazard associated with this system will be high winds that are forecast to impact a large area from the Northwest to High Plains. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible and could bring down power lines and trees. Winds of this magnitude can also make travel very dangerous for high profile vehicles. High Wind Warnings and Watches have been issued. Across the High Plains, the combination of gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low relative humidity will make conditions ripe for wild fires to spread uncontrollably. SPC has issued a Critical Risk of fire weather for much of eastern Montana and far western North Dakota today. The fire weather threat then shifts south and into eastern Colorado and the southern High Plains on Monday. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been posted from Montana to New Mexico. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php