Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 300 PM EST Wed Feb 07 2024 Valid 00Z Thu Feb 08 2024 - 00Z Sat Feb 10 2024 ...One more round of moderate to locally heavy rainfall will sweep across California through tonight, reaching into the Desert Southwest on Thursday... ...More higher-elevation heavy snow across the Intermountain West with a wintry mix over the northern High Plains through tonight; mainly across the Four Corners on Thursday... ...Temperatures will continue to run above average for the central/eastern U.S. with record warmth over parts of the upper Midwest into the Great Lakes... As another energetic upper-level trough and associated frontal systems reach the West Coast, another round of moderate to locally heavy rainfall continues to push onshore across northern and central California this Wednesday afternoon. The heavy rain falling 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 through tonight and remaining 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 snowfall. Meanwhile, a low pressure system that has been developing over the central High Plains will track northeastward across the northern Plains through tonight before crossing the upper Midwest on Thursday. Moist southeasterly flow overriding colder air along and east of the Rockies will bring an expanding area of snow across the northern Plains through Thursday before tapering off over the upper Midwest on Friday as the low pressure system moves away toward James Bay, Canada. Most locations across the northern Plains should receive 6 inches or less of snow from this system. However, some snow bands could deliver heavier snowfall of up to a foot over portions of Montana. Between the system moving into California and the developing low pressure system over the High Plains, widespread snowfall can be expected across the Intermountain West through tonight. Regional mountain ranges such as the Wasatch and central Arizona will receive heavy snow, where additional snowfall over the next two days will generally range between 10-20", with totals over 2 feet possible. Higher elevations of the northern Rockies and central Great Basin will generally see between 4-8 inches, with some locally higher amounts. 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 on Thursday and into Friday as the system finishes traversing the southern Rockies and begins organizing a new low pressure system over the south-central High Plains on Friday with scattered showers and some thunderstorms developing over the Mid-South. 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, where 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. Kong/Putnam Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php