Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 410 PM EDT Sat Mar 23 2024 Valid 00Z Sun Mar 24 2024 - 00Z Tue Mar 26 2024 ...Heavy Snow over portions of Northern New England; Significant Winter Storm likely across parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest... ...There is a Sight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Northern Mid-Atlantic to Southern New England... ...There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Central/Southern Plains on Sunday... A Significant Winter Storm will develop over the Northern High Plains and move into the Northern Plains, upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Great Lakes from Saturday evening into Monday. The winter storm will be high-impact and an extensive system producing widespread heavy snow and gusty winds that will persist over parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest through Monday. Widespread heavy snow will spread across much of central and eastern Montana by Saturday night, expand into the Northern Plains/Upper Midwest on Sunday, and continue into Monday. There is a high chance (greater than 70%) of at least eight inches of snow extending from central South Dakota northeastward to northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. In addition, the storm will create hazardous impacts from heavy snow, snow load, and wind. Moreover, heavy snow and gusty wind will produce areas of blowing/drifting snow and possible blizzard conditions on Sunday into Monday. Hazardous travel and road closures are expected late Saturday into Monday. Strong winds and heavy, wet snow on trees and power lines may damage trees and cause power outages. Furthermore, strong wind gusts over 50 mph on Sunday may result in power outages, blowing dust with reduced visibility, difficult travel, and property damage as High Wind Watches and Warnings are over the Central/Southern Plains. Meanwhile, low pressure over Southern New England moves northeastward into the Canadian Maritimes by Sunday. The storm will aid in producing heavy snow over parts of Northern New England through late Sunday morning. Additionally, heavy rain will develop over parts of the northern Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England through late Saturday night. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over the northern Mid-Atlantic/Southern New England through Sunday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable. On Sunday, the threat of excessive rainfall ends over the Northeast. The snow will continue through late Sunday morning over Northern New England. Moreover, a front over the Great Basin/Southwest moves inland to the Central/Southern High Plains by Sunday afternoon and continues eastward to the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley by Monday evening. The energy associated with the boundary will create higher-elevation snow and lower-elevation rain over parts of the Pacific Northwest, California, Great Basin, Southwest, and central/Southern Rockies through Monday morning. Further, as the front and dryline move out of the Rockies on Sunday, showers and severe thunderstorms will develop over the Central/Southern Plains. Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Central/Southern Plains from Sunday into Monday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. On Monday, the front moves into the Lower Mississippi Valley, creating showers and severe thunderstorms. Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley on Monday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. In addition, the showers and thunderstorms will produce heavy rain over parts of the Central/Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the Central/Lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys on Monday. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, and small streams the most vulnerable. Ziegenfelder Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php