Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 AM EST Wed Feb 07 2024 Valid 12Z Wed Feb 07 2024 - 12Z Fri Feb 09 2024 ...Moderate to locally heavy rainfall continues for California and the Desert Southwest... ...Heavy Snow for higher elevations of the Intermountain West; wintry mix for the Northern Plains... ...Temperatures will continue to run above average for the central/eastern U.S. with record breaking warmth for parts of the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes... Shower and thunderstorm chances remain in the forecast for the West Coast and the Desert Southwest as a deep, energetic upper-level trough remains overhead, onshore flow continues, and another Pacific storm system drops down along the coast. While the influx of anomalously high moisture associated with this past weekend's Atmospheric River has ended, moderate to locally heavy rainfall on top of the very wet antecedent conditions may still bring a risk for some isolated instances of flooding, particularly along coastal central and southern California Wednesday and along the Mogollon Rim of Arizona through Thursday. Higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada and Transverse/Peninsular Ranges will see some additional heavy snowfall totals of around 6-12", while the Cascades and northern Coastal Ranges of California will see some light to moderate snow. The trough will also continue to lead to heavy snowfall for the regional mountain ranges of the Intermountain West the next couple of days. Higher elevations of the Northern Rockies and Central Great Basin will generally see between 4-8 inches, with some locally higher amounts. The heaviest amounts will be centered on the Four Corners region, where additional snowfall over the next two days will generally range between 10-20", with totals over 2 feet possible. Lower elevations/valleys will see a mix of light to moderate rain and snow showers, though any snow accumulations should remain limited. Precipiation chances should trend downward through Thursday and into Friday. A shortwave rotating around the western trough will begin to push eastward over the Plains Wednesday, helping to organize/enhance a surface low pressure/frontal system over the Northern Plains. Moist southeasterly flow overriding colder air along and east of the Rockies will bring the chances for a mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow spreading eastward from the Northern High Plains into the Northern Plains Wednesday-Thursday. Some light ice accretions and snowfall generally between 2-4" are expected from eastern Montana into western North Dakota. Some light to moderate rain showers will spread eastward ahead of the system across the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes Thursday. High temperatures will remain above average broadly across central/eastern portions of the country, with much above average conditions centered on the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. Forecast highs in the 40s, 50s, and even some low 60s are upwards of 25-35 degrees above average. Some record-tying/breaking high temperatures are possible. Otherwise, highs will generally range in the 30s and 40s for New England, 40s and 50s for the Mid-Atlantic/Carolinas, 50s and 60s for the Ohio Valley/Southeast and Central Plains, and 60s and 70s for the Southern Plains. Highs will remain below average in the West under the influence of the upper-level trough and ongoing precipitation, with highs in the 30s and 40s for the Intermountain West, 40s and 50s for the Pacific Northwest/Northern California, and 50s and 60s for Southern California and the Desert Southwest. Putnam Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php