Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
121 PM EST Fri Feb 06 2026

Valid 00Z Sat Feb 07 2026 - 00Z Mon Feb 09 2026

...Clipper system to bring snow, high winds, and dangerously cold
temperatures to the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Appalachians into the
weekend...

...Moderate to locally heavy rainfall expected for the Pacific Northwest
Saturday...

...Warmer-than-average temperatures will continue for the West...

A quick moving clipper system will drive a strong cold front across the
Northeast, central Appalachians, and Mid-Atlantic through tonight,
bringing light to moderate snow showers and strong gusty winds. Snow
accumulations will generally be in the 1-3 inch range, with locally higher
amounts expected in favorable locations downwind of the Great Lakes, in
the higher elevations of the Appalachians, and along portions of the New
England coast. Very strong winds will accompany this system Friday night
through Saturday, with gusts as high as 60 mph possible across the central
Appalachians and into the Mid-Atlantic. Though snow accumulations will be
light, gusty winds may lead to snow squalls with quick bursts of intense,
blowing snow and suddenly dangerous driving conditions. Bitterly cold air
will follow behind the cold front, with high temperatures forecast to drop
into the single digits, teens, and 20s on Saturday. The combination of
frigid temperatures and strong winds will bring dangerously cold wind
chills as low as -30 to portions of the Interior Northeast/New England and
as low as the negative single digits and teens closer to the coast
Saturday morning through Sunday morning. These wind chills will pose a
life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin.

Meanwhile, a Pacific frontal system will direct a weak atmospheric river
into the Pacific Northwest this weekend. Moderate to locally heavy
rainfall is forecast across western Washington on Saturday, which may
result in isolated flooding, and higher elevations of the Cascades will
likely see some snowfall. Moisture will spread further inland across the
northern Great Basin and into the northern Rockies late Saturday into
early Sunday, with scattered rain showers for lower elevations and snow
into the mountains. Elsewhere, some widely scattered showers and
thunderstorms will be possible Saturday into Sunday across portions of the
Southwest/west Texas ahead of an approaching upper low.

Temperatures will remain cold across the eastern U.S. through the weekend
following the passage of a series of cold fronts. Forecast highs generally
range from the 20s and 30s for the Ohio Valley to the 40s and 50s in the
Southeast and 60s in Florida. On the other side of the nation, an
amplified upper ridge will allow well above average temperatures to
continue across much of the central and western U.S.. The greatest
anomalies are expected across the northern and central Plains where highs
will rise into the 50s, 60s, and even low 70s, upwards of 30-40 degrees
above early February averages. Forecast highs for the Interior West will
range from the 40s to low 60s, with 60s, 70s, and even some 80s possible
from the southern Plains through the Southwest and into California.
Temperatures in the Pacific Northwest will be closer to average as the
frontal system moves in, with highs mainly in the 50s.


Dolan/Putnam


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