A strong storm in the center of the country was expected to continue bringing wintry weather to the Central Rockies and Plains on Thursday. A strong low pressure system that developed over the Rockies would continue tracking eastward through the country. Flow around this system continued to create a strong frontal boundary with a cold front extending over the Great Lakes and another cold front stretching down the Mississippi River Valley. The systems would obtain moisture from the Gulf and allow for heavy rains to persist over the Great Lakes, New England, and the Northeast. At the same time, cold air would pour in from Canada and allow for scattered flurries over the Northern and Central Plains as well as the Upper Midwest. Up to a half of an inch of mixed precipitation was expected over the Western Great Lakes, while forecasters said parts of New England might see up to an inch of rain. A winter weather advisory was issued for the High Plains due to anticipated snowfall amounts up to 4 inches. Nighttime lows were forecast to dip well below freezing again, and daytime highs would remain in the 40s over most of the Plains. Forecasters said ample Gulf moisture in the South might allow for scattered thunderstorm development, none of which were expected to turn severe. Meanwhile out West, a cold front would continue pushing through the Pacific Northwest and over the Northern Rockies on Thursday. Scattered showers were expected with 2-3 inches of snow at higher elevations of the Cascades, as well as in Montana and Wyoming. California however, would see a few clouds with seasonable conditions with highs remaining in the 70s. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a low of 20 degrees at Stanley, Idaho, to a high of 97 degrees at Desert Center, Calif. ___ On the Net: Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov |