Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
146 PM EST Fri Jan 16 2026

Valid 00Z Sat Jan 17 2026 - 00Z Mon Jan 19 2026

...Snow squalls likely to create dangerous travel conditions for portions
of the Plains and Midwest tonight...

...High winds and dangerous fire weather conditions over the Plains
today...

...Below average temperatures forecast for the Central and Eastern U.S.
this weekend into early next week...


A strong cold front will continue to push south across the central Plains
and Midwest through tonight, and snow showers and squalls are likely
across these regions. Snow squalls create an extremely dangerous
combination of heavy snow rates and strong, gusty winds, leading to icy
roads and near-zero visibility. Conditions can change rapidly in snow
squalls, creating dangerous travel for motorists.

Outside of any snow squalls, strong winds are expected, with wind gusts
above 70 mph forecast across the northern and central High Plains. These
winds will result in hazardous travel, especially for high profile
vehicles, and may create scattered power outages. Any power outages will
be particularly dangerous as sub-zero wind chills arrive behind the cold
front. Additionally, strong winds and low humidity will create dangerous
fire weather conditions across portions of the central and southern
Plains.

Temperatures are forecast to plunge behind the strong cold front, with
below average temperatures spreading from the Central to Eastern U.S. this
weekend. High temperatures in the single digits and teens will be common
over portions of the northern/central Plains and Upper Midwest on
Saturday, which are 15-25 degrees below average. Another strong cold front
will sink south across the northern/central Plains and Upper Midwest late
this weekend into early next week, which will bring another burst of cold
air to start the work week. Meanwhile, high pressure will bring dry
conditions and above average temperatures to much of the West through the
weekend.


Dolan/Kebede


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