This will result in widespread mountain snow across the higher elevations of the Rockies on Friday, and persisting into Saturday across the mountainous terrain of the Four Corners region as an upper level low develops.

The potential exists for 10-20 inches of snow across portions of Utah and Colorado, mainly above 9000 feet elevation.

It will also be turning considerably colder compared to the recent warm weather that most of the Western U.S. has experienced so far this month.

Highs will only be in the 40s and 50s for most valley locations to close out the work week and going into Saturday, and below freezing at night.

With the upper level low developing over Arizona, there will be a plume of increased moisture advection across eastern New Mexico and portions of adjacent states that will likely result in enhanced rainfall going into Saturday, where a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall is currently depicted in WPC's outlook.

The potential exists for 2-4 inches of rainfall here, and this could result in some instances of flooding.

Some strong to severe thunderstorms will also be possible.

Another area of enhanced rainfall will be across western Washington, where an atmospheric river event will likely affect Vancouver Island and the Olympic Peninsula, producing a few inches of rainfall across the windward terrain.

Elsewhere across the continental U.S., a sprawling surface high will be anchored in place across the Eastern U.S. and will govern the overall weather pattern through the upcoming weekend.

The result will be sunny skies across a wide expanse of this region, and pleasantly mild conditions during the day and cool at night.

There will be a moderating trend with temperatures compared to the recent cold spell earlier this week, and highs are expected to be above normal for many areas with readings well into the 70s from the Midwest to the Northeast states.The downside is the developing short term drought conditions for much of this region, with no rainfall expected through early next week. ■