254 FXUS02 KWBC 121932 PMDEPD Extended Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 232 PM EST Mon Jan 12 2026 Valid 12Z Thu Jan 15 2026 - 12Z Mon Jan 19 2026 ... A complex/broad coastal low is expected to bring a wintry mix followed by accumulating snow to portions of the Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and New England Thursday/Friday... ...Guidance/Predictability Assessment... In general, the most recent guidance were in agreement that ridging will near the West Coast and a broad, highly amplified trough will be in place over much of the CONUS through the extended period with multiple energies traversing the flow. Detail challenges persist initially for the East Coast out the interaction/ spacing between a cold low in Quebec and a shortwave/possible upper low moving out of the Appalachians. The system's kicker shortwave moving towards Minnesota however is being handled well and the rest of the evolution. WPC's medium range 500 hPa heights/pressures/fronts progs were created from a compromise of the deterministic guidance early, which then saw some incorporation of the ECMWF ensemble mean, NAEFS and GEFS means. ...Weather/Hazards Highlights... Lake enhanced snowfall will persist as a series of shortwaves aloft/clipper systems move within and through the broad troughing over the Plains, Great Lakes, and East. Snow will also be possible for the Northern Plains, Midwest, and Appalachians/Northeast. It appears that the system will bring an initially wintry mix which transitions to snow for portions of the Mid- Atlantic States and New England, though the degree of snow accumulation will likely be dependent on the depth of the upper level shortwave/low. The flow pattern in which the Northeast system is embedded is one of greater forecast uncertainty since it is an unusual case of trinary interaction, and any small change in any of the two steering systems (cold low in Quebec and kicker shortwave moving towards Minnesota) could have significant impact on the coastal low track/strength. Portions of the Gulf coast late should see sufficient moisture intrusion for rain. Below average temperatures expected for Friday and beyond for the eastern states. Much of the West and High Plains will have above average temperatures. There is potential for high winds for portions of the Northern/Central Plains later in the week. Additionally, is also some indication for enhanced wind potential for southern California and vicinity to monitor given pressure gradients and offshore flow. Campbell/Roth Additional 3-7 Day Hazard information can be found on the WPC medium range hazards outlook chart at: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/threats/threats.php WPC medium range 500mb heights, surface systems, weather grids, quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF), excessive rainfall outlook (ERO), winter weather outlook (WWO) probabilities, heat indices, and Key Messages can be accessed from: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/medr/5dayfcst500_wbg.gif https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/medr/5dayfcst_wbg_conus.gif https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/5km_grids/5km_gridsbody.html https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/day4-7.shtml https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ero https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/wwd/pwpf_d47/pwpf_medr.php?day=4 https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heat_index.shtml https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ovw $$