The Nation's Weather 09.25.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Wet weather was forecast to persist over the Eastern U.S. on Friday as a strong system continued tracking through the country.

A low pressure system would move from the Plains and over the Mississippi River Valley. This would pull abundant moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico and create a moist frontal boundary that would stretch from New England and into the Southeast. Scattered showers were expected to pop up anywhere along this front, but severe thunderstorms were not likely. Rainfall amounts under a half of an inch were expected with highs reaching into the 70s again in the New England States, with the South reaching into the mid- to upper 80s. Cooler conditions were anticipated over the Great Lakes region with highs only in the 60s. Thunderstorms were most likely to develop over the Northern and Central Plains and stretch into the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

As this system passed, dry and cool air would pour over the Rockies and High Plains. At the same time, a trough of low pressure would dip in from the Gulf of Alaska approach the Pacific Northwest. This would push a cold front over the region that would stretch eastward from Washington and over the Northern Rockies. Meanwhile, to the south, warm and dry conditions were forecast to persist as the ridge of high pressure remained intact as the trough stayed to the north.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of 21 degrees at Gunnison, Colo., to a high of 108 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.