Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 404 PM EDT Fri Oct 23 2020 Valid 00Z Sat Oct 24 2020 - 00Z Mon Oct 26 2020 ...Strong to severe thunderstorms expected for parts of the Ohio Valley and Lower Great lakes region through Saturday morning... ...Significant snowfall expected to overspread the Northern Rockies and the Northern Plains into the weekend... ...Cold air plunges into the Plains and then toward the eastern states over the next few days... ...Elevated Fire Risk for the Four-Corners region and parts of the Central and Southern Rockies... Much of the country will be active with various weather concerns this weekend and into early next week. Across the Northwest, a low pressure system is ushering in widespread, significant snowfall that will continue across the Northern Rockies and into the Northern Plains this weekend. Snowfall intensity is expected to increase this weekend as cold air plunges south toward the Plains. Accumulations around a foot or more will be possible by Sunday. Temperatures will plummet over a vast portion of the country with this early season Arctic blast, resulting in numerous near or record breaking daily values. Parts of Montana and the Hi-Line could have readings fall below zero. Strong winds behind the front will also causing blowing and drifting of snow, likely leading to hazardous travel conditions. Most counties from western Washington to central Nebraska have Freeze Watches, Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Watches in effect. For the Southwest/Interior West dry air and gusty winds ahead of the approaching cold front will keep elevated/critical fire weather conditions in place. The Storm Prediction Center Has much of the Four Corners and surrounding area in elevated and critical status through Sunday. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for parts of California, Utah and Colorado. As the cold front plows south through the Rockies and the Central/Southern Plains, a wintry mix of precipitation will be possible for Texas/Oklahoma, possible further to the northeast. Winter Storm Watches and Freeze Warnings are in effect from Texas to northern Missouri. Over the Great Lakes today, a developing low pressure system along a sharp front could bring some strong to severe thunderstorms across the area as the system moves into Canada. Light snow over the northern Plains behind the system should gradually taper off later today. Meanwhile, very warm afternoon is forecast to continue today for much of the eastern U.S. The sharp cold front will bring noticeably colder air into the Ohio Valley on Saturday but much of the Southeast remains warmer than normal on Sunday as the front stalls across the Appalachians. Campbell/Kong Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php