The Nation's Weather 10.22.08

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

A snow storm and some of the coldest air of the season swept across the central Plains early Wednesday, while rain splattered the southern Plains and the West stayed clear.

Showers, thunderstorms and snow will gradually increase in intensity throughout the day across much of the Midwest and central Rockies.

This storm system will be moving eastward very slowly Wednesday and Thursday as a strong high pressure system hovers over the East, slowing down its forward speed. This could prolong winter storm conditions across the Midwest over the next few days.

Moving south, the storm system's cold front will push southeast through the southern Plains and into the lower Mississippi Valley by Thursday morning, triggering rain and thunderstorms.

Over the Northeast, lingering rain and snow showers are expected to diminish around midday, with skies clearing. Brisk north winds will kick in, keeping temperatures in the 40s and 50s Wednesday.

Out West, high pressure will bring warm and sunny weather to west of the Rockies into the weekend. However, fire weather will continue to be a concern for southwestern California as gusty dry northeast winds persist and humidity remains low.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Tuesday ranged from a low of 15 degrees at Embarrass, Minn., to a high of 98 degrees at Thermal, Calif.