The Nation's Weather 08.23.09

By WEATHER UNDERGROUND (AP)

Hurricane Bill will be the big headline for the country on Sunday even through it will not even make landfall. As it parallels the Northeast coast, it will produce large waves and strong winds in the greater Cape Cod area.

The outer rainbands of the hurricane will scrape by the coastal areas, producing periods of moderate to heavy rain. Residents should beware of dangerous surf through the New England coast.

The effects of Bill will also produce areas of moderate to heavy rain along the Southeast coast, mainly in the morning. This activity will diminish as the storm moves to the northeast toward Newfoundland.

The rest of the country will experience mostly benign weather. Some tropical moisture will make its way into the Southwest and Great Basin, providing areas of scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The Plains will remain dry as warm air streams in from the south. The Southern Plains will be especially warm to hot.

The Northeast will rise into the 70s while the Southeast will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s. The Southern Plains will rise into the 90s and 100s, while the Northwest will see temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Saturday ranged from a low of 36 degrees at Bigfork, Minn. to a high of 106 degrees at Alice, Texas.