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[November 17, 2009]  (AP)  Wintry weather was expected to persist over the central U.S. on Tuesday because of a strong low pressure system over the Midwest. 

The system, which brought snow to the central Rockies, was forecast to continue bringing light and scattered snowfall to the region. It could leave 2 inches of snow in the central Plains, while the upper Midwest and northern Plains could see only a few clouds because of higher pressure hovering over the region.

The unusual scenario was due to the counterclockwise flow around the system that pulled warmer air over the Mississippi from the South and cool air moving over the Plains from Canada.

The system also was expected to pull moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico and allow for scattered showers over the Mississippi Valley. Light sprinkles could reach into the Great Lakes, while the mid-Mississippi River Valley was expected to see an inch of rain throughout the day.

To the west, cool air pouring in behind the system could allow for light snowfall in Kansas and Nebraska. Temperatures in the North were expected to remain in the 40s, while the central Plains could see highs in the 30s.

Along the East Coast, the low pressure system could start to push eastward and bring scattered clouds to the region, with rainfall reaching to the coast by evening. Highs could remain in the 60s over the Mid-Atlantic states, while the Northeast was expected to see another sunny day with highs near 40.

In the West, another low pressure system off the coast was forecast to push into British Colombia and create a cold front that could sweep through the Pacific Northwest. This could bring another dreary and wet day to the region, with rainfall totals of up to an inch and a dusting of snow in the Cascades.

The rest of the West Coast was expected to remain cool as the system pushed moisture over the coast.

On Monday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of minus 6 degrees at Laramie, Wyo., to a high of 84 degrees at Miami, Fla.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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