Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 230 AM EST Fri Jan 13 2017 Valid 12Z Fri Jan 13 2017 - 12Z Sun Jan 15 2017 ...Major winter storm to affect parts of the central U.S. and colder weather is arriving to the East Coast... A major winter storm is in the forecast for much of the central U.S. extending from western Texas all the way to the Ohio Valley for this weekend. With a large arctic high pressure area settling across the north-central U.S. and Great Lakes region, a steady supply of sub-freezing temperatures in the lowest levels of the atmosphere will be in place for this region. Aloft, moist and warmer flow will be lifted above this cold air near the surface, creating an environment favorable for widespread freezing rain. Ice storm warnings are in effect from the Texas Panhandle to southern Illinois, with freezing rain advisories just to the south of the warning area. Ice amounts in excess of a half inch are possible in some areas, which is enough to cause severe travel disruptions and power outages. Snow is also likely on the north side of this shield of precipitation. After a brief spell of pleasantly mild weather for much of the East Coast region, a sudden return to January reality is now underway and much colder weather will return in time for the weekend. Some cities even set record high temperatures on Thursday ahead of the cold front. By Saturday, many of these same areas will have below normal temperatures for highs along with the threat of some light wintry precipitation across parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., the western states will begin to enjoy a quieter weather pattern after the recent onslaught of heavy rain and snow. The upper level low currently near southern California will slowly make its way towards New Mexico over the next couple of days, and this low will be one of the factors involved in the winter storm across the central U.S. Bitterly cold weather with subzero temperatures are expected for the Dakotas and into Minnesota. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php