The Nation's Weather 01.29.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

A winter storm was easing its grip on the Northeast early Thursday and snow lingered in northern New England, while dry, warm weather was expected across much of the West.

Parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine were forecast to get 10 to 12 inches of snow before the storm heads into Nova Scotia. Forecasters warned that periods of heavy snowfall would lead to low visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

In the South, a cold front was expected to remain stretched across Florida, triggering periods of heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms across the northern half of the state.

The Rockies could see light, scattered snow showers, though the rest of the West was expected to stay dry and warm. Lake-effect snow showers and flurries were forecast across the upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes.

The rest of the nation was expected to see fairly benign weather.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of minus 29 degrees at Presque Isle, Maine, to a high of 84 degrees at Melbourne, Fla.