Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 324 AM EDT Tue Mar 18 2025 Valid 12Z Tue Mar 18 2025 - 12Z Thu Mar 20 2025 ...Heavy snow over the Northern/Central Rockies on Tuesday; light to moderate snow from the Central Plains to the Upper Great Lakes on Tuesday; and heavy snow/ blizzard conditions over Central Plains to the Upper Great Lakes on Wednesday... ...There is a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys and Upper Great Lakes on Wednesday... ...There is an Extreme Risk of fire weather over the parts of the Southern High Plains on Tuesday... A front extending from the Upper Great Lakes to Central Plains/Rockies and then southwestward to Southwest will move eastward to the Lower Great Lakes to the Eastern Gulf Coast by Thursday. On Tuesday, the associated upper-level trough will aid in producing heavy snow over parts of the Northern/Central Rockies and eastern Great Basin. Furthermore, light rain and higher-elevation snow will develop over parts of California. The snow over the Sierra Nevada Mountains will be light and ending by early Tuesday morning. In addition, weak onshore flow off the Pacific will keep coastal rain and higher-elevation snow over the Pacific Northwest and Northern Intermountain Region through early Wednesday morning. There will be a brief lull in precipitation over the Northwest before the next front starts to come onshore over the area by Wednesday afternoon. As the boundary moves onshore, coastal rain and higher-elevation snow returns to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California late Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. Meanwhile, as the Central Rockies/Central High Plans storm moves eastward, light snow will develop over parts of the Northern Plains/Upper Mississippi Valley into the Upper Great Lakes on Tuesday. Widespread snow and blizzard conditions are expected Tuesday night through Wednesday over portions of the Central Plains into the Midwest. As the storm moves over the Upper Midwest Wednesday afternoon and night, heavy snow bands become enhanced by Lake Superior. Very difficult and dangerous travel is expected due to the heavy and blowing snow, which causes roads to become snow-covered and dramatically reduces visibility. Avoid travel if possible. Furthermore, south of the rain/snowline, rain will develop over parts of the Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley and Upper Great Lakes. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of the cold front from the Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys to near the Central Gulf Coast on Wednesday. Some of the showers and thunderstorms will become severe. Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over the Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys and Upper Great Lakes from Wednesday through Thursday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a minimal threat of tornadoes. A round of high winds gusting to 80 mph will impact portions of the Southern Plains Tuesday into Wednesday. Impacts from the winds could include sporadic power outages and very difficult travel both for high-profile vehicles and due to reduced visibility from blowing dust. Therefore, the SPC has issued an Extreme Risk of fire weather over parts of the Southern High Plains on Tuesday due to strong gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. By Wednesday, the threat of fire weather reduced slightly as the SPC issued a Critical Risk of fire weather over parts of southern Texas. Ziegenfelder Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php