047 
FXUS01 KWBC 160653
PMDSPD

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

Valid 12Z Fri Jan 16 2026 - 12Z Sun Jan 18 2026

...Widespread snow squalls will create dangerous travel conditions
for portions of the Northern/Central Plains and Midwest through
tonight...

...Very gusty winds for much of the Northern/Central Plains
today...

...Cooler temperatures spread from Central to Eastern U.S. this
weekend...


Snow showers and snow squalls are likely to spread south-southeast
into the Upper Midwest today, and then as far east as the Ohio
Valley tonight. Snow squalls may become widespread, leading to
some areas receiving multiple rounds during this event. 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.

In addition to snow squalls, strong winds are expected, with wind
gusts above 60 mph possible (30-50%) across the Northern/Central
High Plains. High wind warnings and wind advisories are in effect
for much of the Great Plains. A critical fire weather area is in
effect for eastern Oklahoma/Texas panhandles as well as western
Oklahoma due to the combination of gusty winds and dry conditions.
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.

The aforementioned [Arctic] cold front will bring below average
temperatures to the Plains beginning tonight. High temperatures in
the teens and single digits over portions of the Northern/Central
Plains and Upper Midwest will be 20-30 degrees below average on
Saturday. This frigid airmass will spread eastward into the
Midwest and East Coast Saturday night into Sunday.


Kebede


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

$$