The Nation's Weather 09.06.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Tropical Storm Hanna was slamming into the Southeast coast Saturday morning, bringing near hurricane force winds and heavy rain to North and South Carolina. The storm was expected to cause widespread flooding and possibly generate strong tornadoes.

After making landfall the storm was projected to accelerate rapidly to the Northeast, reaching New Jersey by late evening.

Meanwhile, clear skies were forecast for the Southern Plains as high pressure builds over the Southwest. A weak trough was expected to bring some cloud cover and a few showers to the northern and central Plains.

More hot weather was forecast for the West. Highs were to reach into the upper 90s and low 100s throughout California and the Desert Southwest.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a low of 24 degrees at Lake Yellowstone, Wyo., to a high of 113 degrees at Thermal, Calif.