Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 255 AM EST Sat Jan 14 2017 Valid 12Z Sat Jan 14 2017 - 12Z Mon Jan 16 2017 ...Major winter storm to affect parts of the central U.S. this weekend... A major winter storm is gearing up for much of the central U.S. extending from northern New Mexico all the way to the Ohio Valley for this weekend. With a large arctic high pressure area in place 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 the central Plains and into the middle Mississippi River valley. 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 across parts of the Ohio Valley and the central Appalachians. Ice amounts in excess of a half inch are possible in some areas of the central Plains, which is enough to cause severe travel disruptions and power outages. Snow and sleet are likely on the north side of this shield of precipitation. Much colder weather has returned in time for the weekend for the East Coast. Below normal temperatures and widespread cloudiness will be common in the wake of the cold front with periods of light rain and wintry mix across the Mid-Atlantic region. Elsewhere across the continental U.S., the western states are enjoying a quieter weather pattern after the recent onslaught of heavy rain and snow. The upper level low currently over northwest Mexico will slowly make its way towards the central Plains over the next couple of days, and this low will be a big factor in the winter storm across the central U.S., with the inflow ahead of it supplying moisture to the region. Periods of heavy rain are likely across central and southern Texas this weekend as the low pressure system begins tapping into Gulf of Mexico moisture. D. Hamrick Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php