Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 208 AM EST Thu Jan 14 2021 Valid 12Z Thu Jan 14 2021 - 12Z Sat Jan 16 2021 ...Winter storm to impact the Upper Midwest on Thursday and Friday then Northeast on Saturday... ...High Wind Warnings over the Northern/Central Plains... ...Elevated to Critical fire weather possible over Southern California on Thursday into Friday... An area of low pressure will develop over the Upper Midwest today. This low pressure system is expected to remain stationary over the region through Friday before continuing on into the Great Lakes and Northeast on Saturday. Strong winds are expected to continue to be an issue on the backside of this system over the Northern/Central Plains through Friday morning. High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the Northern/Central Plains as a result. Between 4-8 inches of snow are likely to fall over much of Iowa, Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin through Friday. Isolated amounts of over 8 inches can't be ruled out. Some light freezing rain may also occur along the Upper Mississippi Valley. Winter Storm Watches and Advisories are in effect for this area. This system will slide into the Northeast on Saturday and produce snowfall over the interior Northeast and rain for the coastal areas. Upslope enhancement could mean that parts of the Northern/Central Appalachians could see measurable snow on Saturday. Warm air will shift into the Northeast today and tomorrow as the Southwest warms up. Temperatures are likely to be between 15-20 degrees above average across much of California, Nevada and Arizona through Friday. Southern California may see widespread high temperature records broken on Friday. As a result of that and drier/windier conditions, southwestern California will experience a Critical Risk of Fire today. A tightened pressure gradient over the Plains will lead to stronger winds and an Elevated Fire Risk area over parts of eastern Colorado, Kansas and northern Oklahoma today. Kebede Graphics available at www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php