FXUS01 KWBC 200811 PMDSPD Short Range Forecast Discussion NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD 310 AM EST Fri Feb 20 2026 Valid 12Z Fri Feb 20 2026 - 12Z Sun Feb 22 2026 ...A temporary relief to the recent very active pattern for California... ...Below average temperature likely from the West Coast into the Plains, while above average temps persist for areas east of the Mississippi River, except for New England... ...Heavy snow possible from portions of the Central Plains, northeast into the Upper Mississippi Valley and Upper Lakes and from northern New York State into northern New England... ...An elevated to critical fire weather threat will continue across the Southern Plains... A brief reprieve from the active low elevation rain and mountain snowfall is on deck for the West Coast today as high pressure briefly settles in behind a departing cold front. In it's wake, cool and dry weather will prevail through tomorrow, until another series of offshore low pressure systems on Sunday brings precipitation back into Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Beyond this weekend, Tuesday-Wednesday of next week remains the most likely timing for precipitation to spread into Central California, so stay tuned as the forecast comes into range. The persistent mid to upper level trough over the West that has supported the recent wet pattern will also maintain widespread below average temperatures from the West Coast, eastward through the Great Basin, Rockies, and Central/Northern Plains. In stark contrast, much of the Southern and Eastern U.S. should stay above average through Saturday, with a handful of record high temperatures possible today over portions of the Southeast. Critical Fire Weather conditions are even expected today over the Southern High Plains in part due to the warm temperatures and associated low relative humidity. Eventually, these warm temperatures should come to an end by Sunday as the large-scale pattern changes over the Lower 48. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, precipitation continues to expand along the northern periphery of a strengthening storm forecast to lift into the Upper Great Lakes today. Heavy snowfall should persist through this morning over parts of the Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Lakes, where a swath of Winter Storm Warnings are in effect. By late this morning, wintry weather from this system will also overtake the Interior Northeast and New England, focusing heavy mountain snowfall in the Adirondacks, Greens, and Whites. For the rest of the Eastern Seaboard, light to moderate rainfall and perhaps a rumble of thunder are in store through the afternoon. As we look toward the back half of this weekend, a developing coastal low could bring wintry weather to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. While the chance of at least minor winter weather impacts from this system is appreciable (50-70%), a fair amount of uncertainty remains with this forecast, so stay tuned for updates this weekend. Asherman/Oravec Graphics available at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/basicwx/basicwx_ndfd.php $$