Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 400 PM EDT Wed Oct 16 2024 Valid 00Z Thu Oct 17 2024 - 00Z Sat Oct 19 2024 ...Powerful Pacific storm to bring much colder temperatures and widespread mountain snow to much of the Intermountain West through the end of the week... ...Above normal temperatures continue to build across the central and northern High Plains Thursday into Friday, resulting in more fire weather concerns... ...Frost and freeze conditions expand eastward into parts of the Ohio Valley, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast tonight with below normal temperatures lingering into Friday... After a persistent ridge of high pressure fostered unseasonable fall warmth across much of the West over the last several weeks, a powerful Pacific storm is now bringing big changes to the region behind a strong cold front. The significant pattern change is highlighted by much colder temperatures with highs 15 to 30 degrees below seasonal normals on Thursday and Friday. In addition to the colder temperatures, the storm will also produce widespread mountain snow which will grip the region through the end of the week. Mountain snow is expected to ramp up later Thursday into Friday with the highest peaks across the northern and central Rockies favored for significant accumulations. Combined with the potential for gusty winds, travel through the high country could become hazardous. Before venturing out, be sure to check the latest forecast information and make sure you are prepared for winter driving conditions. Farther east across the central and northern High Plains, gusty return flow on the backside of a departing bubble of high pressure will usher in a surge of unseasonable warmth through the end of the week. High temperatures will soar well into the 70s and 80s, which translates to 15 to 25 degrees above average for this time of year. The unseasonable warmth in conjunction with strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels will continue to create a favorable environment for heightened fire weather concerns. On Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center issued a critical fire weather area for much of eastern Nebraska and parts of southwest Minnesota, southeast South Dakota, eastern Iowa, and northern Kansas... with the potential for the fire weather risk to linger into Friday. Widespread Red Flag Warnings are in effect to highlight this elevated fire weather threat across the region. The strong high pressure that is now departing the Central U.S. will slowly settle into the Eastern U.S. over the next couple of days, allowing for well below normal temperatures to persist through the end of the work week. Unseasonably cold nighttime lows tonight in the 30s and 40s will promote frost and freeze conditions across parts of the Ohio Valley, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Widespread Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories are in effect. Those with agricultural interests or sensitive vegetation should be prepared to take action. Temperatures begin to moderate some during the day on Thursday and especially on Friday, but will still remain below normal for the middle of October. Miller Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php