Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
257 PM EST Thu Feb 25 2021

Valid 00Z Fri Feb 26 2021 - 00Z Sun Feb 28 2021

...Gusty winds and heavy snow to impact portions of the Pacific Northwest
and Northern Rockies over the next few days...

...Numerous showers and thunderstorms likely from the Southern Plains to
Southern Appalachians through this weekend...

...Light snow and wintry mix to spread throughout the Appalachians,
Northeast, and New England between Friday evening and Saturday...

A potent Pacific storm system is currently entering the Northwest and
expected to bring gusty winds and high elevation snow. Post-frontal snow
showers are forecast to linger through Friday and into the early morning
hours on Saturday. Total snowfall amounts will be measured in feet across
the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon. Heavy snow will also
infiltrate inland areas, including the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon,
as well as the Northern Rockies from northern Idaho to the Wasatch
Mountains of Utah. Wind gusts over 50 mph for much of the same region
could make visibility difficult at times due to blowing snow. In the lower
elevations, less snow is likely, but wind gusts could still make travel
difficult for high profile vehicles. Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather
Advisories, as well as Wind Advisories have been posted for the area. For
portions of the Northern High Plains in Wyoming and Montana, even stronger
wind gusts may mix down to the surface; therefore High Wind Warnings have
been issued.

Meanwhile, a stalled frontal boundary across the Southern Plains and
Southeast will be the focus for numerous showers and thunderstorms
beginning tonight and lasting through the weekend. Through Saturday
evening, rainfall amounts over 2 inches will be possible from northeast
Texas to the Southern Appalachians. Isolated instances of flooding will be
possible, mainly from the Lower Mississippi Valley to much of the
Tennessee Valley. Thus, WPC has issued a Marginal Risk for Excessive
Rainfall throughout the region. Isolated severe thunderstorms will also be
a concern as unseasonably warm and moist air continues to enter from the
Gulf of Mexico. SPC has issued a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms
that lasts through early tomorrow morning from the Southern Plains to
Lower Mississippi Valley. The severe threat then shifts slightly eastward
and into the Tennessee Valley on Friday. Large hail and damaging winds
will be the main risks with these storms.

By Friday evening and into the first half of this weekend, a wave of
showers associated with the aforementioned frontal system and an
approaching wave of low pressure is forecast to enter a colder airmass in
place from the Central Appalachians to northern New England. A few inches
of snow and a glaze of freezing rain will be possible, but little to no
travel impacts are expected. Light rain is expected for coastal regions
and major cities along the I-95 corridor during this time frame.

Snell

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