The Nation's Weather 01.01.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Two low pressure systems were moving across the country on Thursday. The Northwest was expecting wet conditions to start off the New Year as a strong system moved in from over the Pacific. Heavy rain were to fall over the coastal regions, while anywhere from 10 to 20 inches of snow was possible for the Northern Rockies. Areas of eastern Oregon and Washington that are not up in the Rockies were to see an inch or two of snow. In addition, strong winds were to blow across the Northwest.

The Northern Plains and the Upper Great Lakes were also to start the New Year with snow due to a second low pressure system. Only moderate snow showers were expected, and most of those regions were only see up to a couple of inches. Strong winds were also expected during the day. Skies were to begin to clear out across the Northern Plains as the storm pushed off to the east. The Central and Southern Plains were to see partly to mostly clear skies and mild temperatures on Thursday.

In the Northeast, areas in New York and northwestern Pennsylvania were to see a few inches of lake effect snow on New Year's. Meanwhile, the combination of high winds and cold temperatures were to drop the wind chill down to anywhere between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees across New England and parts of New York on Thursday. Skies across the eastern half of the country were to be mostly clear during the day, although clouds were to begin to filter into the Northeast late in the day.

In the Southwest, the region was to be clear on New Year's, although some clouds were to move in over the northern portion of the region. Dense fog was also expected along the coastline of California near the Bay Area, as well in the Central Valley.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of minus 34 degrees at Wahpeton, N.D., to a high of 81 degrees at Tamiami, Fla.