Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
254 PM EST Wed Jan 22 2025

Valid 00Z Thu Jan 23 2025 - 00Z Sat Jan 25 2025

...Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chill values to linger for much
of the South and eastern U.S....

...High winds and snow over parts of the Montana through Wednesday
evening...

...Moderate to heavy lake-enhanced snow downwind from the Great Lakes...

...There is a Critical Risk of fire weather over parts of Southern
California...

Bitterly cold high pressure extending from the Mid-Atlantic to Central
Gulf Coast brings temperatures 15 to 25 degrees below average from parts
of the Mid-Atlantic to the Central Gulf Coast. Arctic air will persist in
the Southeast into Thursday with a slow return to normal temperatures
expected by Friday. Multiple record low temperatures and record cold
afternoon highs are forecast Wednesday and Thursday. The associated wind
chills will be zero to 10 degrees above zero across portions of the
Southeast Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The cold temperatures and
wind chills pose a heightened risk of hypothermia, as well as frostbite to
exposed skin. Protect pets, livestock, and exposed plumbing to avoid
over-exposure to the cold. Have a cold weather survival kit if traveling,
and fill up fuel tanks/batteries so that you can stay warm if you become
stranded.

Meanwhile, upper-level energy and upslope flow will produce light snow
over parts of the Northern Rockies from Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Additionally, high wind and snow will occurred through Wednesday evening.
On Thursday, the snow will become light to moderate over the region and
light snow will develop over parts of the Northern Plains on Friday.

Furthermore, a clipper system over the Upper Great Lakes moves into
Eastern Canada by Thursday with the trailing cold front moving off the
Northeast Coast by Friday evening. The system will produce moderate to
heavy lake-enhanced snow over the Upper Great Lakes Wednesday evening into
Thursday. Light snow will also develop over parts of the Ohio Valley,
likewise, Wednesday evening into Thursday. The moderate to heavy
lake-enhanced snow will move into the Lower Great Lakes Thursday evening
into Friday. In addition, light upslope snow will develop over parts of
the Central Appalachians Thursday evening into Friday.

Moreover, strong high pressure over parts of the Northern Intermountain
Region and Great Basin will set up Santa Ana winds over Southern
California. Therefore, the SPC has issued a Critical Risk of fire weather
over parts of Southern California through Thursday. Winds of 20 to 40 mph,
with stronger winds in the terrain, low relative humidity, and dry fuels
have contributed to the dangerous conditions.


Ziegenfelder


Graphics available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php