Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
252 AM EST Thu Feb 02 2023

Valid 12Z Thu Feb 02 2023 - 12Z Sat Feb 04 2023

...Significant ice storm across the southern Plains and Mid-South to
gradually end today...

...Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills to enter the northern Plains and
Upper Midwest before sweeping into the Northeast by Friday...

...Periods of heavy snow return to the Sierra and Cascades late this week
into the weekend...

The prolonged and damaging ice storm that has impacted a large region from
Texas to Tennessee is forecast to finally come to an end today as a final
surge of moisture slides eastward. An additional glaze to a few hundredths
of ice accretion are possible throughout the same region this morning, as
well as a chance for light sleet accumulations. Continued hazardous travel
conditions can be expected, especially over untreated roadways. Added tree
damage and subsequent power outages are also possible before melting
begins to commence this afternoon. Highs will return into the 40s and 50s
by Friday, likely eliminating any icy concerns. Elsewhere, as the system
exits over the Southeast, steady rain is likely today from the Lower
Mississippi Valley to the Southeast. Isolated flooding concerns are
possible given the wet antecedent conditions.

The next impulse of arctic air to sweep into the Nation from Canada is
forecast to impact the northern Plains and Upper Midwest today. Wind
chills could become dangerously cold and drop to as low as 50 degrees
below zero. Areas with fresh snow cover could also experience brief
whiteout conditions as gusty winds accompany the arctic front. By Friday,
the frigid temperatures are forecast to engulf the Northeast and northern
Mid-Atlantic. The core of the cold will pass over the Northeast and more
specifically, northern New England. Wind chills into the minus 50s for
northern parts of this region could be the coldest felt in decades. Low
temperatures are anticipated to be coldest on Saturday, with single digits
as far south as Pennsylvania and subzero lows widespread throughout New
England. Snow squalls and lake effect snow is also likely along and behind
the cold front Thursday night into Friday, which could briefly lead to
lowering visibility and treacherous travel. Wind Chill Warnings have been
issued to further highlight the dangerous cold. Residents and visitors are
urged to limit time outdoors and wear proper clothing. These wind chills
could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

For the West Coast, a cold front entering the region on Friday followed by
a separate system late Saturday will usher in rounds of unsettled weather.
The main impacts at this point are anticipated to be associated with
potentially heavy snow from the Sierra to Cascades, which could add up to
a foot throughout the highest peaks.

Snell

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