Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 304 AM EST Tue Jan 27 2015 Valid 12Z Tue Jan 27 2015 - 12Z Thu Jan 29 2015 ...Powerful winter storm to continue impacting the Northeast... ...Well above normal temperatures to prevail over the Central U.S... An ongoing winter storm is affecting much of the northeastern states with the most significant impacts from coastal New Jersey up to the Canadian border. The current National Weather Service hazards show winter storm warnings in effect over the affected area with blizzard warnings along the immediate coastline. While the exact impacts vary based on location, the overall effect consists of periods of moderate to heavy snow along with gusty winds. In particular, locations from southeastern New York and Long Island up into New England will likely be measuring the snow in feet. Observed mesoscale bands have been producing 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour across sections of Long Island early this morning. Expect additional smaller-scale snow bands to develop as the system continues to churn up the northeastern U.S. coast. Overall, the current forecast suggests snowfall amounts may approach or even exceed 2 feet from eastern Massachusetts northward along the Maine coast. Additionally, blizzard conditions are possible along the coast given wind gusts reaching the 40 to 70 mile per hour range at times. As a whole, this storm should begin to wind down by Wednesday evening as a surface ridge builds over the region. Persistent downsloping flow in the lee of the Rocky Mountain chain will provide ample warmth to the Great Plains. The forecast temperature anomalies suggest readings ranging from 25 to 35 degrees above normal. On Tuesday, the expected high temperatures across the Central Plains are in the low to mid 70s. Records have already been broken across the Plains this week with Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City reporting 77 degrees on Monday relative to the previous record of 71 degrees. Expect additional records to be broken given such warm temperature anomalies in place. A closed upper low previously over the subtropical East Pacific has evolved into an open wave while lifting into southern California. This has spread a broad region of light to moderate rain to the Desert Southwest which is well needed given the persistent drought concerns. Throughout the period, expect this shield of precipitation to advance north and east spreading rainfall into the Central Great Basin and eventually into the Central Rockies. The subtropical origin of the system should keep much of the region as rain except for the higher elevations of the Wyoming Tetons and sections of Wasatch. Elsewhere, an arctic boundary sinking southward from central Canada will spread a band of light to moderate snow to the Upper Midwest/Great Lakes region where 2 to 4 inches is expected Wednesday afternoon into the following day. Rubin-Oster Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php