The Nation's Weather 11.20.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Heavy snow was forecast over the Great Lakes and the Cascades early Thursday, while the Southwest was to bask in warmth.

Frigid northerly winds will race across the still warm Great Lakes, picking up moisture to dump as snow on the southern and eastern shores. While most of the region will see a few inches of snow, isolated locations south of Buffalo, N.Y., could be looking at a major lake-effect snowfall event through Friday evening.

Heavy snow also was likely across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where up to 12 inches of snow was possible by Friday morning around Newberry. Less significant accumulation was anticipated west of the city.

In addition to snowfall across the Great Lakes region, temperatures will remain bitterly cold, with many locations expected to remain colder than freezing during the day.

The second storm to sock the country will bring heavy snow to the Cascades. Mountain peaks could see well over a foot of snow, while lower elevations might see up to 6 inches. Below the snow level, heavy rain was anticipated, especially along the coast where over an inch will fall by Thursday night.

Elsewhere in the nation, precipitation will be sparse, though clouds were expected to cover a large swath of the northern tier states.

The southern half of the nation should see clear skies with the exception of southern Texas, where a weak and dry cold front will allow some clouds to develop.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of minus-5 degrees at Mt. Washington, N.H., to a high of 89 degrees at El Centro, Calif.