Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 343 PM EST Wed Jan 7 2015 Valid 00Z Thu Jan 8 2015 - 00Z Sat Jan 10 2015 ***Bitterly cold temperatures from the Dakotas to the Northeast*** ***Lake effect snow continues downwind of the Great Lakes*** ***Mild and dry for the western part of the country*** The weather pattern over the next few days will feature two massive surface highs settling southward from Canada to the Great Plains. Both of these features are of Arctic origin, and will bring bitterly cold weather from the western High Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast U.S. Widespread subzero overnight lows are forecast for the Dakotas, Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and interior New England. Wind chill advisories and warnings are in effect for many of these same areas, with some of the coldest wind chill readings in the -25 to -45 degree range! Some record low temperatures are also possible. In addition to the frigid temperatures, the cold air advection over the Great Lakes along with upper-level shortwave energy moving over the region is expected to produce locally significant lake effect snow downwind from the Great Lakes through midweek. The heaviest snow is likely to occur east of lakes Erie and Ontario, where local amounts will easily approach one foot. Some upslope snow is likely in the central and northern Appalachians as well. The amplified upper level pattern with a ridge over the West and a trough over the East should continue through Friday. As a result, the western U.S. is expected to remain dry with mild temperatures through the end of the week. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php