Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
259 AM EST Thu Feb 05 2026

Valid 12Z Thu Feb 05 2026 - 12Z Sat Feb 07 2026

...Light wintry precipitation in the Mid-Atlantic and rain/thunderstorms
across the Southeast will gradually taper off...

...A pair of frontal systems will bring periods of light to locally
moderate snow for the Great Lakes today and into Friday...

...An arctic blast will bring frigid temperatures back to the Northeast
and Mid-Atlantic by this weekend with snow showers and possibly snow
squalls...

A low pressure system responsible for light wintry precipitation across
portions of the Mid-Atlantic this morning is gradually moving off the
coast of the Southeast U.S.  This system is forecast to intensify rapidly
as it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream by this evening while
beginning to move rapidly away from the U.S.  Precipitation from the
Mid-Atlantic to the Southeast will be tapering off this morning.  Across
the Florida peninsula, showers and possibly embedded thunderstorms ahead
of the trailing cold front will move through the region today before
ending this evening.

Behind this low pressure system, a replenishment of arctic air will
envelop the eastern U.S. with below freezing temperatures reaching as far
south as the Florida Panhandle by Friday morning before moderating this
weekend.  In the meantime, much of the rest of the country will remain dry
with above normal temperatures for the next couple of days from the
western U.S. to the Great Plains with a significant warm up expanding east
across the northern Plains toward the upper Midwest.  Meanwhile, a pair of
frontal systems will bring periods of light to locally moderate snow for
the Great Lakes today before an intense surge of arctic air arrives from
Canada on Friday and into the weekend.  This upcoming surge of arctic air
will first reach the upper Great Lakes on Friday with snow showers and
possibly snow squalls followed by rapidly falling temperatures.  Friday
night into Saturday morning should see the arctic front pushing through
the entire northeastern U.S. into the Mid-Atlantic with snow showers and
snow squalls followed by rapidly falling temperatures together with
blustery to possibly damaging winds from the northwest.  These winds,
potentially gusting over 50mph for the entire Northeast, will increase the
potential of tree damage and power outages.  In addition, wind chills with
values in the -30s will pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and
frostbite to exposed skin.  Limit time outdoors, cover exposed skin if
outside, and take steps to prevent frozen pipes.

Kong


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