Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 347 PM EDT Sat Oct 24 2020 Valid 00Z Sun Oct 25 2020 - 00Z Tue Oct 27 2020 ...Major winter storm to blanket the northern Rockies and the northern Plains in heavy snow this evening, pushing south into the central/southern Rockies and central Plains Sunday and Monday... ...Record cold temperatures to engulf the Rockies and the Plains over the next few days... ...Critical Fire Risk for the central and southern High Plains this afternoon; Extreme/Critical Fire Risks and high wind threat moves to California Sunday and into the start of the week... An early season winter storm is in progress this afternoon generating moderate-to-heavy snowfall over portions of the northern Rockies and Plains. The storm will continue its push south tonight as a large swath of snow extends from the north-central Rockies to the northern Plains. By Sunday, heavy snow develops in the central Rockies and central Plains while a wintry mix occurs across the Upper Midwest. Expect hazardous travel conditions in these areas, especially where Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued. The winter storm tracks through the Four Corners region Sunday night and reaches the Southwest on Monday with period of snow breaking out over the southern Rockies and southern High Plains. An icy wintry mix is also possible in parts of the Texas Panhandle and the central Plains. Temperatures will plummet over much of the western two-thirds of the country due to this early season Arctic blast, leading to numerous record-breaking cold temperatures. Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories have been issued in portions of the central and southern Plains. Much of the northern and central Rockies are forecast to witness sub-zero temps Sunday and Monday mornings. In addition, strong winds behind the Arctic front will cause blowing and drifting of snow with blizzard conditions possible in the windiest locations. Bitterly cold wind chills ranging between -10 and -20 are also expected in portions of the northern Rockies and northern Plains. In the Southwest and southern High Plains, dry air and gusty winds ahead of the approaching cold front will keep elevated to critical fire weather conditions in place this afternoon. The fire weather threat grows in California on Sunday as a passing cold front and tightening pressure gradient leads to high winds and low humidity levels. An Extreme Risk for fire weather is now in place in the Sacramento Valley on Sunday with a Critical Risk for fire weather lasting into Monday. There are also Critical Risks for fire weather along the Transverse Range of Southern California Sunday and into Monday. Plus, winds are forecast to be strong enough to where there is the potential for downed trees and power outages. Wind advisories have been issued for the entire Bay Area and High Wind Watches along the higher elevations of Southern California. Elsewhere, a cold front pushing across the Mid-Atlantic and a stalling frontal boundary across the Southeast will trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms this evening and persist into Sunday. By Monday, a new wave of low pressure should develop in the eastern Great Lakes forcing the development of showers throughout the Northeast. Some snow is possible in the higher elevations of northern New England. Lastly, some tropical downpours are in likely for southern Florida this evening and into Sunday as deep tropical moisture passes overhead. The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical disturbance in the western Caribbean Sea that could develop into a named storm within the next 24-48 hours. Residents along the Gulf Coast should monitor this evolving situation throughout the weekend and into next week. Mullinax Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php