US Weather Spotlight: 12-12-18

A low pressure system will track from the Midwest to the eastern Great Lakes over the next 24 hours, producing snow, freezing drizzle, and drizzle in southern and central WI, northern IL, and northeast IA mainly early in the day, then building east into lower MI this afternoon and evening before reaching western NY and north central PA overnight. Not much snow accumulation -- maybe up to an inch -- with this activity, though slick roads are a good possibility in spots. Precipitation on the lighter side builds through the Dakotas and NE today and into western MN and northwest IA overnight, and again not much snow accumulation with an inch or two possible in spots with more slick road potential.  

Looking south, another trough of low pressure builds from the Rockies into the southern Plains, where wind will be the main story as the pressure gradient increases across southwest KS, southeast CO, western OK, western TX and NM. Much of this region will see sustained winds increase to 30-40mph with gust potential to 50-60mph, and even 60-75mph in the Guadalupe and Davis mountains. Isolated rain showers initially possible in TX, with chances and coverage increasing tonight, with parts of OK, AR, western LA, TN, KY, eastern KS, and MO all possibly seeing a few rain showers by Thursday morning. 

The northwest continues to be active with heavy precipitation possible once again especially in WA and overnight.