The Nation's Weather 11.30.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

The Eastern U.S. was expected to kickoff the work week with significant weather activity as a long and powerful front trekked toward the East Coast on Monday.

The front was forecast to stretch from the Northeast through the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Plenty of Gulf moisture and energy along the tail end of the system was expected to fuel persistent showers, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms from Texas through the Tennessee Valley.

By afternoon, another disturbance was expected to take shape along the tail of the front, just off the coast of southeastern Texas. This new disturbance was forecast to aid in drenching southeastern Texas and Louisiana with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms during Monday and Tuesday.

The northern half of the front was expected to spark areas of lighter precipitation in the northeastern quadrant of the nation. A drastic drop in temperatures also could accompany the front.

Out West, strengthening high pressure was forecast to produce another day of mild and dry conditions throughout the majority of the Northwest, Central Great Basin and northern California. A few areas of precipitation could develop in northern Washington, while cool temperatures were expected in southern California and the Southwest.

On Sunday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of -8 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont., to a high of 87 degrees at McAllen, Texas.