Currently at the California Weather Center, the temperature is 36 degrees with a dew point of 32.  Barometer currently reads at 1019 mb and is falling.  The current conditions are cloudy with a light mix precipitation.

A look at the upper levels shows a deep trough digging into the southeastern U.S.  A negative tilt is associated with the trough and the strong jet draws it northeastward.  Strong jet streaks at all levels are located over the Alabama/Georgia region.  Moisture flux is strong from the Gulf of Mexico as seen by 850 theta-e analysis at values between 315 and 325. 

At the surface, there is a low pressure system over Alabama and a weak high pressure over the NM/AZ border.  There are high wind values associated with the low as it progresses towards the NE. 

In the near term, the low pressure will move slowly over the NE US region while dumping huge snowfall amounts all over the region.  We will probably see 2 inches before dusk, with a good chance of 4-8 inches overnight.  Snowfall will be greater in the Allegheny and Appalachian mountains.  Snowfall also will depend on how fast the system moves through the NE.  Current storm track does not show much fast movement.  High surface winds of around 20 mph can also be expected with this winter storm.

In the long term, the low will move off by Saturday afternoon and a high pressure will build into Sunday.  Colder temperatures and sunny skies will be expected.  A new low pressure is looking to move into the region by Tuesday with a possibility of new snow.