The Nation's Weather 01.26.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Winter storm warnings were posted for Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma early Monday while both coasts were to stay cold and dry.

In the West, a deepening trough located over the Great Basin will produce significant snowfall across Utah, Wyoming and Colorado.

The central and southwestern mountain ranges will see up to 16 inches of snow, while the eastern San Juan mountains will see up to 19 inches. Strong northeast winds will create periods of blowing snow with lowered visibility.

A mix of rain and freezing rain with chilly temperatures was forecast across eastern Texas and areas of the lower Mississippi Valley.

High pressure over the Eastern Pacific will edge across the West Coast and trigger drier and cool conditions across the Pacific Northwest and California.

High pressure over the Northeast will allow for predominantly dry and cold conditions across New England states. Lake-effect snow showers were expected to develop over the Great Lakes.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Sunday ranged from a low of minus 29 degrees at Crane Lake, Minn., to a high of 82 degrees at Pecos, Texas.