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[October 18, 2011] (AP) A developing tropical disturbance in the eastern Gulf of Mexico will be the main weather headline on Tuesday. There is a chance for strengthening as it moves northeastward toward the panhandle of Florida, so it will be watched closely for development. For the most up-to-date information on this system, go to http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/.

(Click on map for larger image.)

Even if the system does not develop further, widespread rain and thunderstorms will press through Florida and the Carolinas before moving farther to the northeast on Wednesday. This storm has the potential of being a weather headache for the Northeast later this week.

Meanwhile, a front will press through the Mississippi Valley and into the Southeast. This storm will eventually meet the tropical disturbance coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, but not before dumping several inches of rain on the lower Mississippi Valley from Illinois through Louisiana.

A decent shot of cold air will pour into the Plains behind this front. This will bring cooler weather to the middle portion of the country from Texas through the Dakotas.

Dry weather will continue along the West Coast, but a weak low pressure system will cool temperatures a few degrees beyond the temperatures of Monday.

The Northeast will rise into the 50s and 60s, while the Southeast will see temperatures in the 70s. The upper Midwest will rise into the 30s and 40s, while the Southwest will see temperatures in the 80s and 90s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a morning low of 23 degrees at Havre, Mont., to a high of 97 degrees at Thermal, Calif.

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Online:

Weather Underground: http://www.wunderground.com/

National Weather Service:
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/

Intellicast:
http://www.intellicast.com/

[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]