The Nation's Weather 10.06.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Wet weather was expected to sweep through the Central US on Tuesday, as a strong storm moves off the Rockies and into the Plains.

A low pressure system that brought nearly a foot of snow to the Northern Rockies should make its way eastward on Tuesday. The system has produced a cold front that is predicted to move from the Northern Plains to the Southern Plains, and into the Upper Great Lakes region by Tuesday night.

The system will likely bring abundant rain and scattered thunderstorms over most of the Upper Midwest and down the Mississippi River Valley with rainfall totals up to a half of an inch in most places. Periods of heavy downpours are expected to track over southern Minnesota and Iowa, and into Wisconsin. Heavy rains could cause flooding along the Mississippi River.

Cool air is expected to pour in behind this system, and freeze advisories will remain in effect for the Northern Rockies and Plains as overnight lows may dip below freezing Tuesday night. Daytime highs in the North should remain low in the 50s.

Meanwhile, warmer temperatures are expected to return over the West Coast and snowy conditions should diminish over the Rockies as the system moves eastward.

The East will see increasing clouds with rain possibly reaching New England late Tuesday night. A front lingering over the Southeast will kick up scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the day.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a low of 12 degrees at Mammoth Lakes, Calif. to a high of 101 degrees at Laredo, Texas.