EXTENDED FORECAST DISCUSSION NWS WEATHER PREDICTION CENTER COLLEGE PARK MD 1032 AM EDT MON MAR 16 2015 VALID 12Z THU MAR 19 2015 - 12Z MON MAR 23 2015 THE SWARM OF SHORTWAVES ADVERTISED TO CROSS THE EASTERN PACIFIC AND CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA AT THE MEDIUM RANGE IS LEADING THE MODELS A MERRY CHASE. HIGH SPREAD IS EVEN EVIDENT WHEN COMPARING ENSEMBLE MEANS, SO BLENDED THE MORE ROBUSTLY POPULATED ECENS AND NAEFS AS A SYNOPTIC GUIDE THIS FORECAST PACKAGE. THE SENSIBLE WEATHER HIGHLIGHT EARLY IN THE PERIOD IS THE THREAT OF A FEW INCHES OF LATE-SEASON SNOWFALL THURSDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY, AND FRIDAY NIGHT FROM THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS THROUGH THE INTERIOR NORTHEAST. IN GENERAL, PRECIPITATION IN THE EAST WILL SHIFT SOUTHWARD WITH TIME, WITH A COMMENSURATE NORTHWARD SHIFT OVER THE ROCKIES AND CENTRAL STATES. IN THE WEST, THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND NORTHERN INTERMOUNTAIN REGION SHOULD STAY UNSETTLED INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK. CISCO