Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 235 AM EST Sat Mar 01 2025 Valid 12Z Sat Mar 01 2025 - 12Z Mon Mar 03 2025 ...Heavy snow possible near the U.S. Canadian border from the Great Lakes to Maine... ...Temperatures drop well below average this weekend from Ohio Valley to East Coast... ...Critical Fire Weather Risk this weekend from portions of the Southwest to Southern Plains... A robust low pressure system tracking along the International border today will usher in colder air resulting in temperatures falling to well below average. Highs may fall between 15-30 degrees below average in some parts of the East this weekend. Additionally, snow showers will flourish downwind of the Great Lakes due to northwesterly flow on the backside of the cold front. Heavier snowfall is more likely over portions of the Northern Appalachians where upslope enhancement could occur. Gusty winds are also possible over parts of the Ohio Valley into the Northeast. Across the West troughing is expected over the weekend with will keep unsettled weather across the region. A mid-level low is forecast to weaken as it advances astride the Southwest. Drier air will accompany this feature along the base of the trough. When paired with the gusty wind, the environment will be supportive for Critical Fire Weather from southeastern Arizona into far southwestern New Mexico on today followed by southeastern New Mexico and western Texas on Monday and Tuesday. Rain/snow shower activity may develop across the Four Corner region Sunday progressing to potentially scattered shower and thunderstorm activity over the Southern Plains on Monday. There will be a continued potential for rain showers and mountain snow for the West Coast as the upper trough amplifies over the eastern Pacific Ocean. This system may generate severe storms over portions of the Lower/Middle Mississippi Valley and Southeast/Mid-Atlantic Coast next Tuesday-Wednesday respectively. Campbell Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php