The Nation's Weather 09.02.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Hurricane Gustav roared ashore Monday in Louisiana as a Category 2 storm, weaker than had been feared.

Still, the storm produced widespread torrential rain and damaging winds, knocking out power to thousands. It was expected to remain over the region for at least another day.

Elsewhere, because of a lower pressure system over the Midwest and an associated cold front, widespread precipitation fell in much of the West.

Parts of the Southern Plains rose into the 90s, while some areas of the West could manage only the 50s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from 26 degrees at Truckee-Tahoe, Calif., to 99 degrees at Rockport, Texas.