At a Glance

Another low-pressure system will strengthen in the central U.S. in the upcoming week.More snow is expected in parts of the West and northern tier.Locally heavy rain and severe thunderstorms will also likely be concerns in the South.Moderate rainfall may lead to flooding in areas of the Plains and Midwest with snow on the ground.

Another strong low-pressure system will take shape in the first half of the upcoming week, spreading a mess of snow, ice, rain and thunderstorms across much of the United States.

(MORE: Winter Storm CentralTornado Central)

An active pattern will remain in place across the Lower 48 into mid-March, which means another round of rain and snow. In some areas, snow will continue to pile up, likely adding to the winter fatigue for many, and more rainfall is expected in areas that already have saturated ground, increasing the risk of flooding.

This next system will develop from two pieces of jet-stream energy. The first impulse will dive into the West Coast this weekend and into the Southwest early week. Another disturbance will then move into the Northwest early week, then combine with the first system in the central U.S.

As this system intensifies, precipitation and winds will increase. This will be a slower system than many recent storms and will track into the Great Lakes region and southeastern Canada by late-week.

Given that we are several days away from this next system, the details remain uncertain. However, below is a look at what we currently expect, and what concerns we're watching closely.

Forecast Timing

Into Monday

Parts of the West, mainly from Oregon into California and Nevada, will see rain and higher-elevation snow this weekend.

Sunday night and Monday, precipitation will develop in the Four Corners region. Although precipitation is beneficial for the ongoing in this region, additional snow will also likely add to the avalanche concern in parts of the West, including Colorado, which has already had a .

Rain, freezing rain and sleet will likely begin to spread into parts of the central Plains by Monday night. Thunderstorms are also expected in the southern Plains.

The next disturbance will begin to bring more rain and mountain snow to the Northwest Monday night.

Tuesday

Rain and thunderstorms are likely in the central and southern Plains on Tuesday. A few strong to severe thunderstorms are also a concern, especially in portions of central and western Texas, but it is too early for details.

Rain, sleet and freezing rain might fall in parts of the Dakotas into Minnesota and Iowa. Rain and mountain snow will also continue in the Four Corners.

Winds will begin to increase in the Plains, too.

Farther west, rain and snow will continue Tuesday in the Northwest, northern Great Basin and northern California from the second disturbance.

On Tuesday night, snow is possible across much of the higher elevations in the West. Precipitation in the Plains and Midwest will extend a bit farther east, as well. Thunderstorms may be numerous in the central and southern Plains with locally heavy rain possible.

Wednesday

This system is expected to develop and intensify by midweek.

Snow is likely for much of the Rockies and into parts of the northern and central Plains.

Most areas from Minnesota and southern Wisconsin to the lower Mississippi valley will see rain, with thunderstorms in parts of the South.

Strong winds are also anticipated from the Southwest into the Plains and Midwest.

Rain and thunderstorms will continue spreading eastward Wednesday night into parts of the Southeast and Ohio Valley, and may extend as far north as the northern Great Lakes. Wind-driven snow will persist in parts of the Rockies and Plains.

Thursday-Friday

Rain will stretch from the Northeast to the Gulf Coast, with thunderstorms in the South on Thursday.

Thursday may also see more snow in the northern Plains, with rain finally changing to some snow in the upper Mississippi Valley.

Rain and thunderstorms might linger in parts of the East on Friday, with snow showers possible in the Great Lakes region as the system finally weakens.

Rainfall Outlook

Parts of the central and southern states may see 1 to 3 inches of rain from this storm system in the week ahead.

The rain in combination with melting snow may cause urban flooding and lead to rising rivers and streams in the upper Midwest. Ice jams could also develop on rivers in the region.