Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
247 PM EST Fri Dec 16 2022

Valid 00Z Sat Dec 17 2022 - 00Z Mon Dec 19 2022

...Light snow showers gradually coming to an end over the northern Plains
and Upper Midwest...

...Heavy snow to impact portions of the Interior Northeast through
Saturday...

...Well below normal temperatures enter the north-central U.S. by Sunday...

The low pressure system that brought significant heavy snow and widespread
blizzard conditions to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest is forecast
to continue to weaken through the weekend. Gusty winds could result in
blowing snow and blizzard conditions through this afternoon, then winds
will relax tonight as the low pressure center moves northeast away from
the region and the pressure gradient relaxes. Blowing snow will result in
near zero visibility at times and snow covered roads will make travel
dangerous. Snow showers are gradually coming to an end across the region
with only light scattered snow showers expected through Saturday morning.

In the Northeast, a low pressure system is tracking north along the coast
and producing heavy snow inland and rain along the coast. Heavy snow is
expected to continue through Saturday across interior New York and New
England. Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are likely, and storm
total snowfall is expected to reach 1-2 feet in portions of the
Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley, and the Green and White Mountains. Travel
conditions will be dangerous at times, and scattered power outages are
anticipated. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from northeastern
Pennsylvania to Maine, and Winter Storm Watches are in effect for northern
Maine. The storm system will gradually pull away from the Northeast late
this weekend. Snow showers will remain possible over the interior
Northeast through Sunday, with heavy snow expected to come to an end for
much of the area Saturday night. Strong west-southwesterly winds in the
Great Lakes region will create favorable conditions for the development of
lake effect snow bands over the weekend, and heavy snow will be possible
through Sunday downwind of the lakes, especially downwind of lakes Eerie
and Ontario where fetch will be maximized.

In the South, a lingering frontal boundary will create rain chances for
portions of Florida through the weekend. Thunderstorms will be possible
for much of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon and evening as a wave
of low pressure moves along the boundary across south Florida. Rain
showers will also be possible along the northern Gulf coast as a slow
moving, weak frontal boundary passes. In the West, the next frontal system
will slide south into the region over the weekend, bringing snow chances
to the Northwest and the northern High Plains.

In terms of the temperature outlook for the CONUS, below normal
temperatures will likely continue across most of the nation through early
next week. Well below normal temperatures are expected to plunge into the
north-central U.S. by Sunday as arctic high pressure builds to the north.
High temperatures are forecast to only reach the single digits and teens,
and lows are forecast to be below zero.


Dolan

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