Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 300 AM EST Sat Mar 02 2024 Valid 12Z Sat Mar 02 2024 - 12Z Mon Mar 04 2024 ...Winter storm continues this weekend in the West with heavy mountain snow, widespread damaging winds, and powerful blizzard conditions in the Sierra Nevada... ...Wintry mix for portions of the Northern Plains with some moderate to locally heavy snow possible... ...A coastal storm will bring widespread rain up the East Coast through Saturday... ...Much above average, Spring-like temperatures expanding from the Plains/Midwest into the Northeast this weekend with Critical Fire Weather threat for the central/southern High Plains... A significant winter storm continues to impact much of the West, including dangerous, blizzard conditions for the Sierra Nevada as an amplifying upper-level trough forces its way into the western U.S. A multi-day influx of moisture from the Pacific interacting with colder air pushing southward from Canada is bringing heavy higher elevation, mountain snows across most of the ranges of the Pacific Northwest, northern/central California, the Great Basin, and the northern/central Rockies. There is at least a moderate chance (40-60% probability) of an additional 12"+ of snowfall through the end of the weekend. In addition, widespread wind-related advisories and warnings remain in effect across much of the greater western U.S. as wind gusts reach upwards of 55 mph, with gusts as high as 75 mph for higher elevations, leading to the risk of downed trees and power lines. The combination of snow and high winds is most intense in the Sierra Nevada, where heavy snow rates exceeding 3" per hour and winds gusting over 100 mph are causing significant blowing, drifting snow and whiteout conditions, making travel impossible through the area. The most intense snow and wind should begin to wind down through the day Sunday. High temperatures will be below average this weekend with the colder airmass moving in, with highs in the teens and 20s for the Northern Rockies; 30s and 40s for the Pacific Northwest, northern California, the Great Basin, and central Rockies; 50s for central California; and 60s for southern California. Temperatures will be warmer into the Southwest with highs in the 70s. Falling heights as the amplifying trough begins to shift eastward over the northern High Plains will help to deepen/organize a low pressure/frontal system during the day Saturday. This system is forecast to track east into the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes Sunday. Limited moisture ahead of the system will keep precipitation chances rather low. However, in the colder air to the north/northwest of the system, enough moisture will be in place for a wintry mix of freezing rain and snow across portions of the Northern Plains. Some moderate to locally heavy snowfall will be possible along the Canadian border. Winds will likely also be rather breezy, with the potential for some blowing snow. To the east, a low pressure/frontal system lifting up the East Coast will continue to spread showers through the Mid-Atlantic and into New England Saturday bringing moderate to locally heavy rainfall, particularly for coastal locations. Some showers and thunderstorms will remain possible along the frontal boundary lingering southwestward along the coastal Southeast, Florida, and the central Gulf Coast. Rain chances will come down overnight Saturday and into early Sunday as the system pushes eastward away from the coast. Widespread well above average, Spring-like temperatures are forecast to continue for much of the Plains and Midwest this weekend. The greatest anomalies will be centered over portions of the central/northern Plains and Upper Midwest Saturday, spreading into the Great Lakes and Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys on Sunday, where forecast highs reaching well into the 60s and 70s are upwards of 25-35 degrees above average. Some highs may tie/break local daily records. Further south, highs will be into the 70s and 80s for the Southern Plains. Unfortunately, the combination of these warm temperatures along with gusty winds and dry conditions have resulted in another Critical Risk of Fire Weather (level 2/3) from the Storm Prediction Center for portions of the central and southern High Plains. The warming trend will spread into the Northeast on Sunday following the departure of the coastal low, with highs warming into the 40s and 50s in New England and the 50s and 60s in the Mid-Atlantic. While not quite as anomalous, highs across the Southeast into the 60s and 70s are still running above early March averages. Putnam Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php