The Nation's Weather 08.20.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Tropical Storm Fay was expected to move northwest toward northern Florida or the Georgia coast Wednesday evening. Forecasters said it could intensify into a hurricane as it moves over water and were keeping a close eye on the cyclone.

Meanwhile, storms in the Southern Plains were to continue moving eastward into the lower Mississippi Valley. Heavy showers and thunderstorms were expected. Heavy rainfall was to put these areas at risk of potential flooding.

To the north, fair conditions were expected for the Midwest. In the Northeast, drier and warmer conditions were expected in the New England states.

In the Pacific Northwest, showers and thunderstorms were expected in Washington and Oregon. Showers and thunderstorms were to continue in the northern Plains.

Northern Idaho, Montana and western North Dakota were at risk of severe fires as the weather was expected to be conducive for wildfires.

The Southwest was expected to remain dry and hot.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Tuesday ranged from 33 degrees at Bryce Canyon, Utah, to 111 degrees at Indio, Calif.