The Nation's Weather 09.12.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Hurricane Ike lumbered closer to Texas early Friday, hours before it was forecast to lash the coast with heavy rainfall, intense winds and severe thunderstorms.

Ike could strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane by early Saturday, when it was expected to make landfall. Up to 15 inches of rain was possible in some spots.

Meanwhile, showers and thunderstorms were expected to continue across the Southwest, the central Plains and the Ohio Valley. They were also forecast for the Northeast.

Warmer temperatures and dry conditions were expected in the West.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Thursday ranged from a low of 22 degrees at Stanley, Idaho, to a high of 108 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.