The Nation's Weather 12.11.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Wintry weather was expected to persist over the Northeast and New England on Friday, while the Central U.S. could start to warm.

The low pressure system that brought heavy snowfall to the Central and Eastern U.S. was expected to push northeastward into eastern Canada and off the East Coast.

But due to the large size of the storm, it could continue pulling a strong eastward flow over the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. That could cause heavy lake-effect snow to dumping over the eastern shores of the eastern Great Lakes.

Another 5 to 9 inches of heavy and damp snow was expected over northern New York, though western Michigan was expected to see an inch or two on Friday.

Behind this system, high pressure was expected to dominate the Central U.S. and bring cool and sunny skies to the Plains and Mississippi River Valley. Slightly warmer temperatures were expected as clockwise flow around the ridge pulled warmer air into the Northern and Central Plains.

New England was expected to remain in the 20s and 30s, while temperatures in the teens were forecast in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.

South of this system, a low pressure system was expected to develop over the Gulf of Mexico, which could pick up moisture and kick up scattered showers and thunderstorms. Wet weather from the event was expected to extend over the Southeastern states and into Mid-Atlantic states with rainfall amounts of less than a half inch in most places.

In the West, a strong low pressure system spinning off the coast of California was forecast to push onshore on Friday and spread light rain over most of California. Rainfall totals of less than a quarter of an inch were expected. High temperatures were expected to remain in the 50s and 60s, while the Pacific Northwest was expected to be cloudy with highs in the 30s and 40s.

On Thursday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of -27 degrees at Big Piney, Wyo. to a high of 102 degrees at Newnan, Ga.