Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 349 PM EDT Sun Mar 28 2021 Valid 00Z Mon Mar 29 2021 - 00Z Wed Mar 31 2021 ... There is an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Mid-Atlantic through late Sunday evening... ...Strong cold front to bring gusty winds and heavy mountain snow across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies Monday evening... ...High winds and a Critical Risk of fire weather found across the Northern High Plains on Sunday and Southern High Plains on Monday... A front along the East Coast will move offshore later on Sunday evening. The boundary will produce showers and thunderstorms along and ahead of the front over parts of the southern Mid-Atlantic into the Southeast/Central Gulf Coast through late Sunday evening. The SPC has issued an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Mid-Atlantic until the associated front moves offshore later on Sunday evening. The primary hazards associated with severe thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe wind gusts, hail, and tornadoes. Rain will develop along the front over the Northeast and northern Mid-Atlantic that will mainly end by Monday morning. On the backside of the precipitation shield, light snow will develop over parts of the Northeast into parts of the Central Appalachians ending on Monday. Meanwhile, a front over the Pacific Northwest will move eastward to the Great Lakes southwestward to the Southern Plains by Tuesday evening. The system will produce heavy mountain snow over the Cascades and parts of the Northern Rockies/Northern High Plains through Tuesday afternoon. Snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet are possible across Washington's higher elevations, 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 will 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 over the region. Furthermore, across the High Plains, the combination of gusty winds, warm temperatures, and low relative humidity will make conditions ripe for wildfires to spread uncontrollably. SPC has issued a Critical Risk of fire weather for much of eastern Montana and western North Dakota through Monday morning. 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 North Dakota to eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. Ziegenfelder Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php