Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
256 AM EST Tue Jan 11 2022

Valid 12Z Tue Jan 11 2022 - 12Z Thu Jan 13 2022

...Bitter cold in the Northeast through early Wednesday, while milder air
begins to expand across the Central United States...

...Heavy rain may lead to instances of flooding throughout parts of
western Washington over the next few days...

Much of the eastern two-thirds of country will be under the influence of a
strong high pressure system as it eventually slides off the East Coast on
Wednesday. Under this area of high pressure (which has origins in northern
Canada) an expanse of arctic air has entered the Northeast and northern
Mid-Atlantic this morning. Highs this afternoon will struggle to make it
out of the teens and 20s for most spots, with single digits found across
northern New England. Blustery winds will add an extra bite to the cold
snap, with widespread wind chills below zero throughout the region and as
low as 40 below zero in northern Maine. Residents are urged to wear
appropriate clothing when outdoors, including a hat and gloves. Wind Chill
Warnings and Advisories are in effect and extend from Upstate New York to
Maine. Fortunately, this punch of cold air won't hang around long as more
seasonable temperatures into the upper 30s and 40s arrive by Wednesday
afternoon.

For the waterlogged Pacific Northwest, additional precipiation (mostly in
the form of rain) is set to enter western Washington today and linger into
Thursday morning. An area of low pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean
is expected to funnel a plume of moisture into the Olympic Peninsula and
Washington Cascades. The approaching atmospheric river will contain warm
and moist air that will lift freezing levels above 7000 feet, which will
result in heavy rain falling across even some of the highest terrain.
Rainfall totals over 5 inches are likely along upslope portions of the
Olympic Peninsula, where recent rainfall has already led to saturated
soil. Locally heavy rain is also expected to reach the Washington Cascades
and may produce flooding along rivers that flow off the high terrain. A
Slight Risk of excessive rainfall, as well as Flood Watches, have been
issued for today across this region. Parts of the Columbia Basin in
central/eastern Washington will avoid the surge of warm air at the surface
and may experience light freezing rain. Winter Weather Advisories have
been hoisted as a result.

Elsewhere, most of the Nation will enjoy a tranquil and dry midweek. The
only other notable areas of precipitation include scattered showers and
thunderstorms possible across southeast Florida and continued snow showers
found throughout the Great Lakes. Additionally, a few areas of light snow
may sweep across the Upper Midwest on Wednesday and early Thursday morning
as a couple clipper systems dive into the region from south-central
Canada. Farther south, a warming trend will spread above average
temperatures over the Great Plains and remain in place through at least
Thursday to accompany the continued stretch of dry weather.

Snell


Graphics are available at
https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php