817 
FXUS01 KWBC 161848
PMDSPD

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

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