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General Overview: SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER EXPECTED ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND SOUTHEAST WITH FREEZING RAIN AND MIXED PRECIPITATION THREATS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. A DEVELOPING STORM SYSTEM WILL BRING RAIN, SNOW, AND THUNDERSTORMS TO THE SOUTHWEST AND SOUTHERN PLAINS BEFORE SHIFTING EASTWARD. MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE CENTRAL U.S. INTO THE WEEKEND.

EAST:
A relatively quiet weather pattern will prevail across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic through Friday before changes arrive for the weekend. By Saturday, a developing low pressure system will move off the Gulf Coast and track northeastward, bringing rain to much of the Southeast and coastal regions. Of particular concern is a band of freezing rain that will develop from eastern Texas through the Mid-South and into portions of the Carolinas. This freezing rain threat will be most significant Saturday into Sunday, potentially causing hazardous travel conditions and power outages. 

By Sunday, the coastal low will strengthen off the Eastern Seaboard, bringing rain to the coastal Northeast while mixed precipitation and snow will be possible further inland. Cold air will continue to filter in behind a cold front pushing through the region, with precipitation gradually ending from west to east by Monday.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Near normal to slightly above normal temperatures for most of the region, with warming conditions along the coastal Southeast. The Mid-Atlantic will see temperatures 2-4°F above normal.

-Days 4-6: Significant cooling trend with temperatures dropping 6-12°F below normal across much of the region, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The Southeast coastal areas will remain closer to normal.

-Days 7-10: Below normal temperatures persisting across most of the East, with the coldest anomalies (6-10°F below normal) focused on the Mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians. Some moderation toward the end of the period.

CENTRAL:
A complex winter weather situation will unfold across the Central U.S. over the next several days. A low pressure system developing over the Southwest will track eastward, bringing precipitation to the Southern Plains by Friday. As cold air filters southward from a high pressure system in the Northern Plains, a significant freezing rain and mixed precipitation event is expected to develop from eastern Texas through Oklahoma and into Arkansas.

The potential for significant ice accumulation exists Saturday into Sunday across these regions, with the heaviest ice accretion likely along a corridor from eastern Texas through central Arkansas. This will create dangerous travel conditions and potential power outages. Further north, snow will be possible across portions of the Central Plains and Midwest as the system moves eastward.

By Sunday into Monday, high pressure will build across the region, bringing clearing conditions but much colder temperatures.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Significant temperature contrast across the region with near to slightly above normal temperatures in the South Central states, but rapidly cooling with below normal temperatures (6-12°F below normal) pushing into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.

-Days 4-6: Much colder than normal conditions spreading across the entire Central region, with temperature anomalies of 8-12°F below normal in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. The cold air will continue pushing southward.

-Days 7-10: Below normal temperatures persisting across most of the Central region, gradually moderating toward the end of the period but still remaining 3-6°F below normal for most areas.

WEST:
A low pressure system will bring rain, mountain snow, and isolated thunderstorms to the Southwest through Friday. Snow levels will remain relatively high in the mountains, with accumulating snow primarily above 7,000 feet. By Saturday, this system will begin moving eastward, with improving conditions across much of the Southwest.

High pressure will build across the West Coast by the weekend, bringing dry conditions to much of the region. Some light precipitation will continue across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies, primarily in the form of mountain snow.

Temperature Anomalies:

-Days 1-3: Above normal temperatures across much of the Southwest and Great Basin, with readings 3-6°F above normal. Near normal temperatures along the Pacific Coast and slightly below normal in the Northern Rockies.

-Days 4-6: Warming trend for the Southwest and Great Basin with temperatures 4-8°F above normal. The Pacific Northwest will see near normal to slightly below normal temperatures.

-Days 7-10: Continued above normal temperatures for the Southwest and Great Basin, with the warmest anomalies (6-10°F above normal) focused on the interior West and Northern Rockies by the end of the period.

TROPICAL:
No tropical cyclone activity is expected during the next 7 days in either the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific basins.