The Nation's Weather 02.12.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND

Powerful winds, sleet and snow swept over much of the Northeast and Great Lakes early Thursday, while storms swirled over the Rockies and Northwest.

In the East, a strong low pressure system will produce a wintry mix of precipitation and high winds as it lifts into the Northeast. Scattered rain, sleet and snow showers were forecast across the Great Lakes and the Northeast.

Icy conditions will create slick roads and walkways and will result in hazardous travel conditions across the Northeast. High winds may lead to severe property damage.

Areas of the Northeast and Great Lakes will remain under high wind warnings, winter weather advisories and flood watches throughout the day.

In the West, another storm system will bring rain and snow showers to the central Great Basin and the central and southern Rockies.

Moderate to heavy periods of snowfall were expected to blanket the central and southern Rockies, while isolated thunderstorms may accompany rain and snow showers in lower elevations. The storm system will reach the central and southern Plains by evening.

Another storm system was expected to drop southeastward from the Gulf of Alaska to the Pacific Northwest by Thursday evening. The system will bring cold air and additional rain and snow showers to the West.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of minus 11 degrees at Bryce Canyon, Utah, to a high of 86 degrees at Plant City, Fla.