The Nation's Weather 10.07.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Rainy weather is predicted to continue over the Eastern half of the country on Wednesday as an intense low pressure system pushes eastward through the country, moving over the Great Lakes and into the Northeast.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected with rainfall totals up to an inch.

A cold front should extend southward, hovering over the East Coast, lingering over the Lower Mississippi River and stretching into the Southern Plains. The Gulf of Mexico is expected to feed moisture into this system, making thunderstorms likely with some capable of producing golf-ball sized hail. Flooding is likely to remain a threat over the Lower Mississippi River Valley.

The Northern and Central Plains are predicted to see mostly sunny skies with seasonal temperatures, though a trough of low pressure will likely dip into the Northern Rockies and kick up scattered showers with snow at higher elevations. Expect a dusting of snow between 2 to 3 inches with no significant rainfall anticipated. Meanwhile, the West Coast should see rising temperatures and plenty of sunshine.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday ranged from a low of 8 degrees at Big Piney, Wyo. to a high of 100 degrees at Laredo, Texas.