Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 245 AM EST Tue Dec 15 2020 Valid 12Z Tue Dec 15 2020 - 12Z Thu Dec 17 2020 ...Major winter storm poised to bring heavy snow and areas of freezing rain to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast beginning on Wednesday... ...Potentially heavy snow to impact parts of the central Plains today... ...Continued chances for unsettled weather across the Pacific Northwest over the next couple of days... The start of astronomical winter is under a week away, but Mother Nature is getting off to a fast start with multiple areas of winter weather forecast to impact parts of the United States through Thursday. An area of low pressure traversing central Texas today will help aid in producing moderate snow across portions of the central Plains through this evening. The heaviest snowfall amounts of 4 to 6 inches will be possible across west-central Oklahoma, including areas just to the west of Oklahoma City. Slick road conditions and reduced visibility at times could make travel difficult across the region. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather advisories have been issued. As this same low pressure system moves eastward, it is expected to re-strengthen off of the Southeast coast and bring major winter weather impacts between Wednesday and Thursday from the central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast. A strong area of high pressure located over southern Quebec, Canada will help filter colder air east of the Appalachian Mountains. A wintry mix is forecast to begin across western North Carolina and southwest Virginia Wednesday morning. Freezing rain is the main concern across this region, as upwards of a quarter inch of ice accretion is possible. This could lead to scattered tree damage and power outages. As the precipitation shield advances north throughout the day on Wednesday, heavy snow will overtake areas near and northwest of Interstate 95 in the Mid-Atlantic. This means major cities, such as Washington D.C. and Philadelphia, will likely see a wintry mix and potentially plain rain for areas just to the southeast. Further northeast, heavy snow will also encroach upon northern New Jersey southern New York State by Wednesday evening, this includes the greater New York City metro region. By Wednesday night, snow will also bring impacts to southern New England. The heaviest snowfall amounts are currently forecast across western Maryland and south-central Pennsylvania, where as much as two feet of snow could fall. This would likely lead to very dangerous travel conditions and isolated power outages. The general area that could see over 6 inches of snow stretches from eastern West Virginia to southeast Massachusetts. The greatest uncertainty with the system remains with the rain/snow line. A very slight adjustment to the north or south could mean for vastly different outcomes in local areas from central Maryland to Long Island. Be sure to check your local forecast for the latest updates and more specific details. Meanwhile, the Pacific Northwest will see their own unsettled weather through the next couple of days as two separate systems swing across the region. This first frontal system is entering the region this morning, with the next stronger storm forecast to bring coastal rain and mountain snow by Wednesday evening. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are likely during this time frame along the immediate coastline. Across the Cascade Mountains and higher elevations of Idaho and northwest Montana, 1 to 2 feet of snow could fall. Snell Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php