The Nation's Weather 07.18.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Thunderstorms packing high winds and heavy rain were expected to move across the Plains, and severe weather including tornadoes and hail was possible.

A series of storms was to move through New England. There was a possibility of severe weather.

The Mid-Atlantic was forecast to be mostly clear and pleasant, as was the Southeast, except for Florida and the coast to the Carolinas where there was to be showers and storms.

The Pacific Northwest was to see mostly clear skies. A small front was to kick up showers and storms across Montana and Idaho. Hail and tornadoes were possible.

The Southwest was expecting seasonable thunderstorms across the Rockies, while California and Nevada were to remain mostly sunny.

Temperatures were to range from the 70s through the 90s in the Plains; 70s and 80s in New England; the upper 80s to 90s in the Mid-Atlantic; 80s and 90s in the Southeast; 60s and 70s in the Pacific Northwest, with a few 80s inland; and 80s through to the 100s in the Southwest, with desert regions hitting 110.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Thursday ranged from a low of 37 degrees at Meacham, Ore., to a high of 108 degrees at Needles, Calif.