The low pressure system that brought significant heavy snow and widespread blizzard conditions to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest is forecast to continue to weaken through the weekend.
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Gusty winds could result in blowing snow and blizzard conditions through this afternoon, then winds will relax tonight as the low pressure center moves northeast away from the region and the pressure gradient relaxes.
Blowing snow will result in near zero visibility at times and snow covered roads will make travel dangerous.
Snow showers are gradually coming to an end across the region with only light scattered snow showers expected through Saturday morning.
In the Northeast, a low pressure system is tracking north along the coast and producing heavy snow inland and rain along the coast.
Heavy snow is expected to continue through Saturday across interior New York and New England.
Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour are likely, and storm total snowfall is expected to reach 1-2 feet in portions of the Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley, and the Green and White Mountains.
Travel conditions will be dangerous at times, and scattered power outages are anticipated.
Winter Storm Warnings are in effect from northeastern Pennsylvania to Maine, and Winter Storm Watches are in effect for northern Maine.
The storm system will gradually pull away from the Northeast late this weekend.
Snow showers will remain possible over the interior Northeast through Sunday, with heavy snow expected to come to an end for much of the area Saturday night.
Strong west-southwesterly winds in the Great Lakes region will create favorable conditions for the development of lake effect snow bands over the weekend, and heavy snow will be possible through Sunday downwind of the lakes, especially downwind of lakes Eerie and Ontario where fetch will be maximized.
In the South, a lingering frontal boundary will create rain chances for portions of Florida through the weekend.
Thunderstorms will be possible for much of the Florida peninsula Saturday afternoon and evening as a wave of low pressure moves along the boundary across south Florida.
Rain showers will also be possible along the northern Gulf coast as a slow moving, weak frontal boundary passes.
In the West, the next frontal system will slide south into the region over the weekend, bringing snow chances to the Northwest and the northern High Plains.
In terms of the temperature outlook for the CONUS, below normal temperatures will likely continue across most of the nation through early next week.
Well below normal temperatures are expected to plunge into the north-central U.S. by Sunday as arctic high pressure builds to the north.
High temperatures are forecast to only reach the single digits and teens, and lows are forecast to be below zero. ■