Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 249 AM EST Mon Feb 08 2016 Valid 12Z Mon Feb 08 2016 - 12Z Wed Feb 10 2016 ...Heavy snow expected for portions of the Northeast with blizzard conditions possible for some areas... ...Snow and strong winds expected today across portions of the Upper Midwest... ...Heavy snow possible across portions of the southern and central Appalachians... A strong and impressive low pressure system will move northeastward off the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast U.S. coastline today. The system will spread snow into portions of southern and eastern New England today, with the potential for heavy snow at times as far south as Long Island. Snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected from the eastern half of Long Island northward across southeastern New England. The heaviest snow is expected across eastern Massachusetts including Cape Cod, where 8 to 12 inches of snow are possible, with localized amounts exceeding 15 inches. Additionally, the intensity of the low pressure system offshore will result in winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph portions of southeast Massachusetts including Cape Cod and the islands. Strong winds and heavy snow will create blizzard conditions at times. Heavy wet snow and strong winds may result in downed tree limbs and possible power outages. This low pressure system will move away from New England Monday night into early Tuesday morning -- and the snow and wind will lessen in intensity or taper off. A complex low pressure system will move across the Great Lakes today. The system will produce generally light snow across portions of the Upper Midwest today, which will combine with strong winds gusting in excess of 50 mph in some areas to produce blizzard conditions. Snow and wind should taper off across the Upper Midwest by this evening as the system moves east. The system will also produce scattered areas of snow across the Great Lakes and Ohio valley today into Tuesday. Accumulations will generally be light, with the exception of areas receiving lake effect enhancement. By this evening, the system will transfer energy to a new low pressure system developing across the southern Mid-Atlantic states. This system will spread precipitation across the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, which will start as a mix of rain and snow for many areas, but will change to snow as colder air wraps into the newly developing system. As this low pressure system moves offshore Tuesday morning, upper-level energy will linger over the Great Lakes, Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic, which will keep areas of snow possible through Tuesday night for many areas. Heavy snow will be possible for portions of the central and southern Appalachians, as well as portions of the Mid-Atlantic region in association with this system. The system will also bring another round of snowfall to southern New England, albeit relatively light compared to the system affecting the region today. In the wake of this second low pressure system, much of the eastern half of the nation will become colder as an Arctic air mass moves in. High temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday are forecast to be 10 to 25 degrees below average across much of the Midwest, Ohio valley, and Southeast. Meanwhile, the West will experience dry conditions with generally above average temperatures through Wednesday as high pressure remains in place. Ryan Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_wbg.php