Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Wed Feb 12 2025
Valid 12Z Wed Feb 12 2025 – 12Z Fri Feb 14 2025
…Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of Southern California
on Thursday; There is a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of
Northern/Central California and Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southern
Appalachians on Wednesday…
…Rain/freezing rain over parts of the Mid-Atlantic/Central Appalachians
to Lower Great Lakes with 0. 25 inches of ice accumulations possible on
Wednesday: Rain/freezing rain over parts of the Southern Plains to the
Ohio Valley/Great Lakes with 0. 10 inches of ice accumulations possible on
Wednesday…
…Rain/freezing rain over parts of the Pacific Northwest with 0. 10
inches of ice accumulations possible on Wednesday into Thursday;
Rain/freezing rain over parts of Northeast the with 0. 01 inches of ice
accumulations possible on Thursday…
…There is a Slight Risk of Severe Thunderstorms over parts of the Lower
Mississippi Valley and the Southeast on Wednesday…
…Temperatures will be 25 to 35 degrees below average across the Northern
Rockies eastward to the Upper Mississippi Valley and southward to the
Southern Plains…
On Wednesday, an Arctic high over the Northern Intermountain Region to the
Northern Plains will slowly move southeastward to the Ohio Valley/Central
Appalachians by Friday. The cold air associated with the high will bring
temperatures 25 to 35 degrees below average across the Northern Rockies
eastward to the Upper Mississippi Valley and southward to the Southern
Plains. The cold temperatures have prompted an Extreme Cold Warning over
the Northern Rockies to the Northern Plains.
South of the Artic High, a front extending from the Southeast to the
Southern Rockies and then to the Great Basin will spawn a wave of low
pressure over the Tennessee Valley that moves northeastward to southeast
Ontario, Canada, by Thursday and then into Southeastern Canada by Friday.
On Wednesday evening, the associated front over the Tennessee Valley will
move off the Eastern Seaboard by Thursday evening.
The system will spread snow from the Central Plains into the Great Lakes
on Wednesday and into far northern New England by Wednesday night and
early Thursday. In Addition, bursts of heavy snow, accumulating at times
to an inch per hour, may lead to hazardous driving conditions and disrupt
travel. Heavier snow rates should develop in time for the evening rush
hour in Milwaukee, Chicago, Grand Rapids, and Detroit, among other
locations. Plan ahead if you are commuting. Further, a wintry mix of snow,
sleet, and freezing rain on the south side of the main snow band will lead
to hazardous travel conditions elsewhere in the Midwest and Northeast.
Moreover, a damaging freezing rain, ice event, will continue on Wednesday,
particularly in the Blue Ridge from far northwest North Carolina into
western Virginia and the Allegheny Mountains near the West Virginia and
Virginia border, with 0.25 inches of ice accumulations. Dangerous travel
is expected; power outages and tree damage are likely.
Furthermore, moisture from the Gulf will stream northward over the
Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, and the Southeast on Wednesday.
The moisture will aid in producing showers and severe thunderstorms over
parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. Therefore, the SPC
has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of
the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast through Thursday morning. The
hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe
thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.
Moreover, the showers and thunderstorms will have heavy rain. Therefore,
the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over
parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Southern Appalachians
through Thursday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly
localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams,
and low-lying areas the most vulnerable. On Thursday, the threat of severe
thunderstorms and excessive rainfall will decrease to a marginal risk over
the Southeast.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, a storm over the Eastern Pacific will begin to
move onshore over the West Coast. The system will produce rain and
higher-elevation snow over parts of Central/Southern California. As the
storm moves farther inland, heavy rain will arrive late Wednesday Night in
Central California and then spread inland into the Central Valley and down
the coast to Southern California on Thursday. The heavy rain may cause
flooding in urban areas and small streams, as well as some minor river
flooding. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of
excessive rainfall over parts of Central California through Thursday
morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of
flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and burn scars the
most vulnerable.
The risk of flash flooding will be highest in and near recent burn scar
areas in Southern California. Flooding may include debris flows. People
living in or near recently burned areas should listen carefully to
instructions from local officials.
On Thursday, the threat of excessive rainfall increases over Southern
California. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Moderate Risk (level 3/4) of
excessive rainfall over parts of Southern California from Thursday into
Friday morning. Numerous flash flooding events are possible. Many streams
may flood, potentially affecting larger rivers. Flooding may include
debris flows in or near recently burned areas.
Also, on Thursday, coastal rain and higher-elevation snow will move into
the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, snow will spread into much of the
Western U.S. Thursday and Friday. The heaviest snow is expected in the
Sierra Nevada and Northern California mountains. Snow levels will rise
through the event, but heavy snow will likely cause dangerous travel at
many mountain passes due to snow-covered roads and low visibility.
Significant snow is also likely in the mountains of Utah and western
Colorado. Ice accumulations are possible in northwest Oregon.