Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 259 AM EST Thu Feb 20 2025 Valid 12Z Thu Feb 20 2025 - 12Z Sat Feb 22 2025 ...Light snow/snow showers expected to move across the central Appalachians and the Mid-Atlantic today as winter storm ends across eastern Virginia and eastern North Carolina but lake-effect snows continue into Friday... ...Widespread record cold temperatures continue through Friday from the central Plains to the Gulf Coast before warming trend sets in by the weekend... ...Snow will reach into the central Rockies today before the next round of unsettled weather moving into the Pacific Northwest Friday and into the weekend... As a low pressure system continues to track northeastward away from the Mid-Atlantic coast early this Thursday morning, accumulating snowfall is coming to an end across Virginia and North Carolina eastern shores. Behind the departing cyclone, a large pool of arctic air associated with an expansive high pressure system will slide slowly eastward from the mid-section of the country toward the East Coast. Instability associated with an upper-level trough ahead of the core of the arctic air will bring a swath of light snow and snow showers across the central Appalachians and portions of the Mid-Atlantic states today with a few inches of accumulation possible across eastern West Virginia. Meanwhile, lake-effect snows will continue into Friday, especially over the lower Great Lakes before a warming trend sets in by this weekend. Prior to the arrival of milder temperatures however, much of the eastern two-thirds of the country will remain in a deep freeze. In fact, widespread record cold temperatures are expected today and Friday from the central Plains down to the Gulf Coast where below freezing temperatures are common this morning. Although not at record cold levels, portions of the northern Plains could still experience 40 below zero early this morning. Much of the central Plains will recover only into the teens this afternoon. Please be sure to dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside! By Saturday morning the arctic high pressure system will still dominate the eastern two-thirds of the country but early morning temperatures will moderate to positive territories for most areas. Above normal temperatures will emerge Friday night into Saturday morning across the northern Plains as winds turn southwesterly, bringing milder air from the western U.S. down the Rockies. With the departure of the intensifying cyclone off the East Coast, much of the mainland U.S. will enter a period of less active weather. However, unsettled weather is expected to continue across the Pacific Northwest with continued regular arrival of weather systems from the Pacific. The batch of snow associated with a weakening upper-level disturbance pushing across the Intermountain West this morning will reach into the central Rockies later today. By Friday, another Pacific system will bring the next round of precipitation into the Pacific Northwest and spreading further inland toward Idaho as mountain snows by Saturday morning. The Southwest will remain dry through the forecast period. Kong Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php