Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 410 AM EDT Wed Oct 13 2021 Valid 12Z Wed Oct 13 2021 - 12Z Fri Oct 15 2021 ...First winter storm of the season spreading heavy snow into the northern High Plains today along with high winds... ...Severe weather and heavy rain over the central Plains today will taper off some as they spread into the upper Midwest tonight... ...Moisture drawn northward from Hurricane Pamela will enhance heavy rain threat across the southern Plains by tonight... The most active weather during the short-range period will be found today across much of the Great Plains as a low pressure system continues to intensify before reaching peak intensity tonight. The intense storm is responsible for the first wintry event of the season currently in progress across the northern High Plains where an additional foot of heavy snowfall is possible near the adjoining borders of the Dakotas, Wyoming, and Montana along with very strong and gusty winds. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect for much of the northern High Plains. Strong winds with gusts up to 60 mph are also expected to accompany this storm as it intensifies further while tracking towards the northern Plains. High Wind Warnings are currently in effect for a large section of the northern Plains. In addition to the wintry weather, severe thunderstorms are expected to sweep across much of the central and southern Plains today ahead of a vigorous cold front. By tonight, moisture being drawn northeastward from Hurricane Pamela, currently about to make landfall in western Mexico, will enhance the threat heavy rain across the southern Plains as the tropical moisture interacts with the cold front. An axis of 2 to 3 inches of rain with locally higher amounts is forecast to extend from southwestern Texas towards eastern Oklahoma. The threat of heavy rain may extend into Thursday night in portions of these areas as the front is forecast to become nearly stationary. Throughout the short-range period a large temperature contrast will be found across the country. High pressure locked in place over the eastern seaboard will allow moderately above normal temperatures to persist across the eastern US, while the storm system out west will advect cool air south from higher latitudes, dropping daily highs 20 to 30 degrees below average into the 30s and 40s. Freeze Watches and Warnings are currently in effect over portions of the Southwest and Central Great Basin. Meanwhile, moisture associated with the next upper trough is moving into the Pacific Northwest. This system is expected to spread high-elevation snows across the Intermountain region and into the central Rockies during the next couple of days. Kong/Zavadoff Graphics are available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php