An omega pattern aloft will support impactful weather across the Central U.S. this weekend.
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Tonight, snow showers are expected to continue from the Central Appalachians up through the Lower Great Lakes and interior Northeast/New England.
Additional snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are possible for those areas before the surface low departs from Downeast Maine and things begin to clear up Saturday evening.
High temperatures will remain below average across the East Coast thanks to the cloudiness, but should begin to rebound by early next week.
Out West, general troughing will keep temperatures below average this weekend and into early next week.
High winds will continue over the Four Corners region tonight before spreading into the Great Plains on Saturday.
High Wind Watches and Warnings are in effect for portions of the aforementioned areas through Sunday.
A pronounced ridge will support warmer than average temperatures across the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley this weekend.
Meanwhile, a potent closed upper-level low over the Intermountain West and Rockies will support the development of a dynamic and powerful surface mid-latitude cyclone over the High Plains beginning tonight.
This system will be responsible for the high winds over the Plains as well as Critical Fire Weather conditions across much of the Central/Southern High Plains over the next few days.
A winter storm is likely to develop over the Front Range and parts of the Central Rockies on Saturday.
Heavy Snow and strong winds will make travel very difficult with whiteout conditions possible, particularly on Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Anywhere between 6-12 inches of snow are possible with 1-2 feet more likely at higher elevations (Big Horns, Shirley, Laramie Mountains).
In the warm sector of this system, scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will develop.
Storms will begin Saturday afternoon over the Northern/Central Plains on Saturday afternoon then spread into the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday.
There's a Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms over the Central Plains on Saturday as a result.
The severe threat shifts into the Midwest, Tennessee Valley and Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley on Sunday. ■