The Nation's Weather 04.02.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

For The Associated Press

Heavy rain and areas of severe weather were forecast to hit the Southeast on Thursday.

Damaging winds, large hail and possible isolated tornadoes were expected. There was a moderate risk for severe weather over Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle during the late morning to mid-afternoon. Strong storms and heavy rain were to spread northward into the Mid-Mississippi and Tennessee valleys as the day progressed. These areas also had a slight risk for severe weather.

The Southern Plains were to get showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Isolated thunderstorms and heavy precipitation was expected in the Gulf Coast.

In the West, a swatch of mixed precipitation was to fall across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Light morning rain showers were expected to change into snow, with the heaviest snow totals expected over the Cascades.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday ranged from a low of minus 3 degrees at Hettinger, N.D., to a high of 91 degrees at Plant City, Fla.