The Nation's Weather 02.06.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Warm temperatures were to shift eastward on Friday, leaving the West cool and wet.

Clear skies and above normal temperatures were expected over the Plains. Cloud cover was to be mostly absent across the southern and central portions of Middle America. Closer to the Great Lakes, cloud cover was likely along with a chance of wet weather, especially on Michigan's Upper Peninsula and along the shores of Lake Ontario, where some lake effect snow was possible.

Temperatures in the East were to remain on the cool side, but substantially warmer than Thursday's frigid temperatures. Sun was to mix with clouds in the East, with the sunniest locations expected to be farthest away from the Great Lakes.

After a long period of dry conditions in the West, a much needed Pacific storm was to continue to bring clouds and precipitation to the region. Rain and snow totals were not expected to be exceptionally high or enough to put a serious dent in the region's water shortage. Cool temperatures were anticipated.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Thursday ranged from a low of minus 29 degrees at Watertown, N.Y., to a high of 84 degrees at Williams Gateway Airport, Ariz.