Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 327 PM EDT Thu Oct 31 2024 Valid 00Z Fri Nov 01 2024 - 00Z Sun Nov 03 2024 ...Much above average temperatures expected across large portions of the central to eastern U.S.... ..Early season light snow accumulations possible Thursday evening/night across the western U.P. of Michigan... ...Heavy rains and high elevations snows expected across the Pacific Northwest into far northwest California... ...Additional heavy rains and potentially severe weather across portions of the Southern to Central Plains by early this weekend... There have been many record high afternoon temperatures and record high morning temperatures over the past few days across the central to eastern U.S. The areal extent of record temperatures will, however, decrease significantly over the next few days in the wake of a cold front moving east through the Great Lakes/Ohio Valley region Thursday night and into the northeast on Friday. Record high morning lows are still possible Friday morning from the Mid-Atlantic into New England and record afternoon temps are possible Friday from near New York City to northern Maine. While there are expected to be less record temperatures over the next few days across the Lower 48, widespread above average temperatures expected across large portions of the central to eastern U.S. The cold front that will bring cooler temperatures to the central to eastern U.S. has also been responsible for active thunderstorms over the past 24 hours over Central/Southern Plains into the Lower Missouri and Middle Mississippi Valleys. Showers are expected to continue along and ahead of this front as it pushes eastward, but amounts are expected to be much less than what occurred across the mid section of the nation, bringing little relief to the widespread drought conditions from the Mississippi Valley into the east. There has been a narrow area of early season accumulating snows on the northwest side of an area of low pressure moving along the northern portion of this front over the Upper Mississippi Valley. There will continue to be light snow potential tonight across western portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where an inch or two of accumulation is possible. A wet weather pattern will continue for the Pacific Northwest into far northwest California as the next storm system pushes eastward off the Northeast Pacific. Moderate to heavy rains likely to develop across the Pacific Northwest from the Washington/Oregon Cascades to the Washington/Oregon coasts Thursday night and continue through Friday, while also sinking southward into far northern California. Heavy snows are possible through the Oregon and Washington Cascades, with snow totals in excess of a foot possible over the next two days. The Pacific Northwest has been one of the few areas of the Lower 48 that has received above average precipitation recently. This system affecting the Pacific Northwest Thursday night into Friday will eventually set the stage for another potentially heavy rainfall event for portions of the Southern to Central Plains as it pushes farther eastward Friday and Saturday. Much above average moisture values are expected to push into the Southern Plains Friday night and expand northeastward into the Central Plains on Saturday. This will support an expanding area of much needed rainfall from far eastern New Mexico into North Texas, much of Oklahoma, Kansas and into western Missouri. Similar to many areas of the Lower 48, this region is experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions. In addition to the heavy rain threat, there will also be a threat of severe thunderstorms across portions of this area. Oravec Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php