Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
422 PM EDT Thu May 2 2013

Valid 00Z Fri May 3 2013 – 00Z Sun May 5 2013

***Rare May snowstorm beginning to abate over the Upper Midwest***

***Much colder than average over the Central U.S.***

***Heavy rain and strong thunderstorms for the Gulf Coast***

A rather unusual weather pattern has become established over much
of the
Central and Northern U.S. given the time of year.  A major surge
of cold
air is being ushered in with a strong cold front and upper level
trough through the Great Plains and into the Upper Midwest.  There
is enough cold
air in place for some additional snow on the northwest side of the
precipitation shield, and there are even winter storm warnings and
winter weather advisories out for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin,
and Iowa through tonight.

Having mentioned the strong cold front, temperatures will be at
least 10
to 20 degrees below average from Texas to the Dakotas through the
end of
the week.  There will likely be widespread frost for northern and
western Texas, and widespread sub-freezing temperatures are
expected for overnight lows from Kansas and points northward.
Many record low temperatures are expected as a result of this
unseasonably cold airmass!

Elsewhere, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected to
develop
over the Deep South and into Florida through the end of the week
as an deep upper level low becomes detached from the jet stream
over Tennessee.  In addition, a stubborn surface trough over the
northern Gulf of Mexico and into Florida will result in
appreciable moisture convergence and lift.  Rainfall amounts of
several inches are possible where heavy rain persists the longest.
Out West, warm weather will be the story for the next few days as
offshore flow brings above normal readings to California and hot
weather for the Desert Southwest.

D. Hamrick

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