The Nation's Weather 09.10.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Hurricane Ike was to move northwestward through the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, bringing heavy rainfall and thunderstorms to southern Florida. Isolated tornadoes and waterspouts were possible in southern Florida and the Florida Keys.

Ike was expected to strengthen from a Category 1 to a Category 2 hurricane by the evening. Although Ike was not expected to directly hit Florida, the Keys and the Florida coast were to experience life-threatening rip currents and dangerous waves.

To the north, the Northeast was to see drier and clearer conditions. Rain and severe thunderstorms were forecast for the mid-Atlantic and Texas.

The Midwest was to see fair weather.

To the west, showers and thunderstorms were forecast for the Northern Rockies. Areas in the central Great Basin and the Southwest were also to see thunderstorms.

The West Coast was to see cool temperatures and low level clouds.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Tuesday ranged from a low of 27 degrees at Pine River, Minn., to a high of 113 degrees at Bullhead City, Ariz.