Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
347 PM EDT Sat Oct 24 2020

Valid 00Z Sun Oct 25 2020 - 00Z Tue Oct 27 2020

...Major winter storm to blanket the northern Rockies and the northern
Plains in heavy snow this evening, pushing south into the central/southern
Rockies and central Plains Sunday and Monday...

...Record cold temperatures to engulf the Rockies and the Plains over the
next few days...

...Critical Fire Risk for the central and southern High Plains this
afternoon; Extreme/Critical Fire Risks and high wind threat moves to
California Sunday and into the start of the week...

An early season winter storm is in progress this afternoon generating
moderate-to-heavy snowfall over portions of the northern Rockies and
Plains. The storm will continue its push south tonight as a large swath of
snow extends from the north-central Rockies to the northern Plains. By
Sunday, heavy snow develops in the central Rockies and central Plains
while a wintry mix occurs across the Upper Midwest. Expect hazardous
travel conditions in these areas, especially where Winter Storm Warnings
and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued. The winter storm tracks
through the Four Corners region Sunday night and reaches the Southwest on
Monday with period of snow breaking out over the southern Rockies and
southern High Plains. An icy wintry mix is also possible in parts of the
Texas Panhandle and the central Plains. Temperatures will plummet over
much of the western two-thirds of the country due to this early season
Arctic blast, leading to numerous record-breaking cold temperatures.
Freeze Warnings and Frost Advisories have been issued in portions of the
central and southern Plains. Much of the northern and central Rockies are
forecast to witness sub-zero temps Sunday and Monday mornings. In
addition, strong winds behind the Arctic front will cause blowing and
drifting of snow with blizzard conditions possible in the windiest
locations. Bitterly cold wind chills ranging between -10 and -20 are also
expected in portions of the northern Rockies and northern Plains.

In the Southwest and southern High Plains, dry air and gusty winds ahead
of the approaching cold front will keep elevated to critical fire weather
conditions in place this afternoon. The fire weather threat grows in
California on Sunday as a passing cold front and tightening pressure
gradient leads to high winds and low humidity levels. An Extreme Risk for
fire weather is now in place in the Sacramento Valley on Sunday with a
Critical Risk for fire weather lasting into Monday. There are also
Critical Risks for fire weather along the Transverse Range of Southern
California Sunday and into Monday. Plus, winds are forecast to be strong
enough to where there is the potential for downed trees and power outages.
Wind advisories have been issued for the entire Bay Area and High Wind
Watches along the higher elevations of Southern California.

Elsewhere, a cold front pushing across the Mid-Atlantic and a stalling
frontal boundary across the Southeast will trigger scattered showers and
thunderstorms this evening and persist into Sunday. By Monday, a new wave
of low pressure should develop in the eastern Great Lakes forcing the
development of showers throughout the Northeast. Some snow is possible in
the higher elevations of northern New England. Lastly, some tropical
downpours are in likely for southern Florida this evening and into Sunday
as deep tropical moisture passes overhead. The National Hurricane Center
continues to monitor a tropical disturbance in the western Caribbean Sea
that could develop into a named storm within the next 24-48 hours.
Residents along the Gulf Coast should monitor this evolving situation
throughout the weekend and into next week.

Mullinax


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