Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 244 PM EST Fri Dec 23 2022 Valid 00Z Sat Dec 24 2022 - 00Z Mon Dec 26 2022 ...Blizzard and Arctic Blast to impact from the Midwest to the Northeast... ...Lake-effect snow downwind from Great Lakes with the highest snowfall totals downwind from Lakes Erie, Ontario, and Superior... ...Rain/freezing rain to impact the Pacific Northwest and the Northern High Plain... ...Temperatures will be 25 to 35 degrees below average from east of the Rockies to the Appalachians... Intense low pressure over Eastern Canada will produce strong wind and lake-effect snow from the Great Lakes to the Northeast, weakening by Christmas evening. The system will produce Blizzard Conditions from Strong Winds and Heavy Snow from the Great Lakes to the Northeast interior. The powerful winter storm will continue to produce snow across the Great Lakes and interior Northeast. Enhancement from the ice-free Great Lakes will aid in producing 2-4 foot totals in favored snow belts. Even where lesser accumulations occur, heavy snow rates combined with wind gusts of 40+ MPH will result in blizzard conditions. In some spots, the wind gusts could approach or exceed 60 MPH resulting in damage and power outages. These winds atop existing snow cover will produce ground blizzards. The strong wind will produce an Increased Danger if Power Outages Occur. In addition, the cold s danger will increase if any power outages occur due to the widespread gusty winds around the winter storm system. Extremely Dangerous Travel with Whiteout Conditions where blizzard conditions occur, expect periodic whiteouts with near-zero visibility and considerable blowing and drifting of snow. Traveling in these conditions will be extremely dangerous, to at times impossible. In addition, an Arctic cold front will continue to push through the remainder of the eastern U.S. Friday night, with frigid temperatures and gusty winds expected to produce dangerously cold wind chills across much of the central and eastern U.S. this holiday weekend. The life-threatening Cold Temperatures and Dangerous wind chills will create a potentially life-threatening hazard for travelers that become stranded. If you must travel, prepare for extreme cold. In some areas, being outdoors could lead to frostbite in minutes. Ensure outdoor animals and livestock have sufficient shelter. Moreover, Coastal and Inland Flooding Threats for the Northeast from heavy rain falling onto a melting snowpack will enhance flooding impacts. Moderate to isolated major coastal flooding is forecast due to strong onshore winds. However, temperatures will moderate next week as temperatures are expected to gradually warm early next week, with seasonal to above-normal temperatures likely by midweek. Meanwhile, onshore flow and upper-level energy will produce coastal rain and higher-elevation snow across the Pacific Northwest through Christmas evening. In addition, the warm air associated with moisture moving onshore will trap cold air in valleys aiding in the development of rain/freezing rain over parts of the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, low pressure will develop over parts of the Northern High Plains on Christmas Day and move into the Northern Plains on Christmas evening. The warm air associated with the low will move over the cold air trapping the cold air near the surface. As a result, the rain will fall over the area producing areas of rain/freezing rain over parts of the Northern High Plains on Christmas. Furthermore, as the system moves farther eastward, snow will develop over parts of the Northern Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley. Ziegenfelder Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php