The Nation's Weather 12.28.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

The Associated Press
-- Wintry weather was forecast to persist over the Great Lakes and Northeast as a low pressure system hovered over the region.

The low pressure system that brought heavy snowfall and near blizzard conditions to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest and periods of heavy rains over the Mid- and Upper Mississippi regions in the last few days was expected to move up the Ohio River Valley. While the storm had lost some energy, it was expected to gain moisture from the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean and was forecast to bring light and scattered snowfall to the region.

Up to 4 inches of snow was forecast for New England, while the eastern shores of the Lower Great Lakes was expected to see up to 7 inches of heavier lake-effect snowfall. Parts of Maine were expected to only see a few scattered flurries with highs in the 30s, while the Ohio River Valley was to remain in the mid-20s.

Behind this system in the Central U.S., drier weather was expected as high pressure built over the region, bringing cool conditions and plenty of sunshine to the Plains. The Northern Plains were forecast to see highs in the lower 20s, while the Southern and Central Plains were to remain in the 40s and 50s.

In the West, a low pressure system spinning off the West Coast was expected to continue pushing slight moisture over the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Another cool day with scattered clouds and some snow was forecast over the higher elevations of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevadas.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Sunday ranged from a low of -20 degrees at Jordan, Mont. to a high of 79 degrees at Boca Raton, Fla.

The Nation's Weather 12.23.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

The weather was forecast to become more wintry across the Central U.S. as a low pressure system continued to strengthen Wednesday. Flow around this large system was expected to pull abundant moisture into the Plains from the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters expected the low pressure system, cool air from the north and moist air mass to trigger sloppy winter weather.

The Central and Northern Plains were to brace for 2 to 4 inches of snow during the day, with an additional 3 inches in the evening. The Upper Midwest was forecast to see increasingly snowy conditions by evening with snow totals near 3 inches.

A sloppy combination of freezing rain and snow was expected to make road conditions and any travel dangerous in southern Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, where temperatures were forecast just above freezing.

A winter weather storm watch was issued for most of the Central U.S.

Further south, the system was forecast to produce periods of heavy rain showers over Missouri, while a flash flood watch was issued over most of the state.

A low pressure system was expected to push eastward from the Great Basin and over the Central Rockies, strengthening as it traversed the mountains and dropping another 3 to 7 inches of snow.

Otherwise the West Coast was forecast to remain cool and dry as high pressure hovered over the region.

Meanwhile, the Northeast and New England was to see a few light and scattered snow showers with snowfall totals less than a half of an inch and highs in the 20s. Partly cloudy skies were forecast in the Southeast, with highs near 60.

The Nation's Weather 12.22.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Messy winter weather was forecast to continue Tuesday over the Northern U.S. as a low pressure system tracked over the Pacific Northwest and into the Northern Plains. This system was expected to obtain ample moisture from the Pacific Ocean and continue spreading scattered rain showers with periods of heavy snow at higher elevations.

Authorities issued a winter weather advisory over the region because up to 6 inches of snowfall was expected to fall over the Cascades and 1 to 3 inches on the Northern Rockies. Less than a half of an inch of rain was forecast at lower levels.

As this system strengthened in the West, the Northern and Central Plains was forecast to see increasingly cloudy skies. This system was expected to trigger a weak trough of low pressure, leading the system eastward across the Central U.S. While the trough was weak, it was forecast to possibly kick up scattered flurries over the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest.

A sloppy combination of snow and freezing rain was forecast for the Central Plains on Tuesday. The region was on the brink of a blizzard warning as strong winds were expected to move in from the West. Strong winds with gusts up to 29 mph were anticipated over much of the Plains, making travel and road conditions dangerous.

High pressure was expected to continue dominate the East Coast, bringing plenty of sunshine with highs in the South near 60, while the Northeast and New England were forecast in the 30s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a low of -9 degrees at Gunnison, Colo. to a high of 76 degrees at Harlingen, Texas.

The Nation's Weather 12.21.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

The Pacific Northwest was forecast to experience another messy day on Monday as a strong low pressure system moved through the region. The system was expected to obtain ample moisture from the Pacific Ocean and pull cold air in from British Colombia, ensuring persistent cool weather with highs in the 20s and 30s and light rain over the region.

From 2 to 4 inches of new snow was anticipated over the Cascades and Northern Rockies, with less than a half of an inch of rain at lower elevations. Cool conditions with light and scattered showers were also forecast to extend into northern California.

Moving east, a low pressure system that dipped into the Upper Midwest from central Canada was forecast to bring another wintry day to the Great Lakes. This system was expected to slowly track eastward over the Great Lakes and kick up 1 to 2 inches of snowfall on Monday.

Elsewhere in the Central and Eastern U.S., high pressure was expected to continue building over the Mississippi and Ohio River Valleys, bringing a few patchy clouds with cool conditions. The North was forecast to remain in the 20s, while the Southeast was to see another sunny day with highs in the 50s. Relatively inactive weather was expected in the Plains on Monday.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Sunday ranged from a low of -13 degrees at Gunnison, Colo. to a high of 73 degrees at San Fernando, Calif.

The Nation's Weather 12.20.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

The winter storm was expected to linger over the East Coast and bring another messy day to New England and the Northeast. A low pressure system was forecast to keep pushing northward up the East Coast and pulling cool and moist conditions into the region.

A winter weather advisory was issued over the region, with 3 inches to 5 inches of new snowfall expected over much of New England. Further north, a blizzard warning was in effect for Massachusetts as 6 inches to 10 inches of snow was anticipated with winds gusting up to 30 mph.

The conditions could mean dangerous road and travel conditions over most of the eastern U.S.

To the west and south of the storm system, dry and cool conditions were expected as high pressure started to build in from the Plains. A few scattered clouds were forecast over the Central and Southern U.S., with temperatures in the South expected to remain in the 50s, while the Midwest was forecast to see highs near 30.

A weak low pressure system tracking through the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest could allow for a few scattered flurries on Sunday.

More active weather was anticipated in the West, as a low pressure system moved onshore from the Pacific Ocean. This system could mean widespread scattered precipitation over most of the Pacific Northwest. Less than a quarter of an inch of rain was expected over most areas, while light snow with accumulation of up to 3 inches was expected over the higher elevations. The rest of the West was forecast to see cool conditions with overnight lows dropping below freezing in some areas.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Saturday ranged from a low of -20 degrees at Berlin, N.H., to a high of 82 degrees at San Diego.

The Nation's Weather 12.19.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

A major winter storm was forecast to keep moving up the Eastern Seaboard on Saturday.

The storm was expected to take a dangerous trajectory as it dropped widespread snow first in the Mid-Atlantic and northern Appalachians and then through the southern and coastal New England states.

Many winter storm warnings were posted from eastern Kentucky through eastern New England. The storm was also expected to bring strong winds that would blow the falling snow into blizzard conditions for many areas.

Frigid air was forecast to fill into the Upper Midwest and Mississippi Valley behind the storm. That cold air was expected to plunge toward the Gulf Coast and would greatly dampen daytime high temperatures throughout the East.

In the West, a warm front was forecast to stretch into the Northwest from the Pacific, providing rain and high-elevation snow in the Northwest and into the Intermountain West.

Temperatures in the Northeast were expected to rise into the 20s and 30s, while the Southeast was forecast to see temperatures in the 40s, 50s and 60s. In the Upper Midwest, temperatures were set to rise into the 10s, 20s and 30s, while the Rockies were expected to see temperatures in the 20s and 30s. The Southwest was forecast to see temperatures rise into the 60s and 70s.

In the Lower 48 states, temperatures on Friday ranged from a low of -25 degrees at Saranac Lake, N.Y., to a high of 83 degrees at Santee, Calif.

The Nation's Weather 12.18.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

A potent storm system was forecast to deepen throughout Friday as it moved from the Gulf of Mexico across the Florida Peninsula and began its trek up the East Coast.

The storm was expected to drop heavy rain along the Gulf Coast at the start of the day, but by noon Eastern time, it would begin to track northeastward, heading for the Carolinas. Once in the Atlantic, the storm was expected to feed off the abundant warm water of the Gulf Stream current and begin a process of rapid intensification. By nightfall snow was forecast in the southern Appalachian Mountains, moving north to around the Pennsylvania border.

At the coast, rain was expected to make its way north to the Mid-Atlantic. Overnight the storm was expected to drop significant snow throughout the Mid-Atlantic — lasting through the weekend — and some locations were forecast to see very heavy snowfall totals by the time the weather cleared on Sunday.

Generally calm weather was forecast for the Plains Friday, with light overcast throughout the Northern Tier states, and a few showers and snow showers throughout the Dakotas.

Along the Pacific Coast, a Pacific storm was to push into the Northwest, bringing rain to the coast and snow to the higher elevations.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of -23 degrees at Mt. Washington, N.H. to a high of 84 degrees at Marathon, Fla.