The nation's weather

[October 29, 2011]  (AP)  A strong early season snow storm was expected from the central Appalachians to New England on Saturday.

(Click on map for larger image.)

A strong low pressure system continued moving northeastward over the eastern valleys and into the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. Flow around this system continued pulling cold air in from Canada, while also bringing moisture in from the Atlantic Ocean. This combination was expected to produce a wintry mix of precipitation across the region. This early season winter storm was expected to allow for temperatures to remain 10 to 20 degrees below seasonable for the southern Plains, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast on Saturday. The moist system was capable of producing some moderate to heavy wet snow.

Winter storm advisories were issued across the Northeast as 7 or more inches of snow are likely above 1,000 feet, and 2 to 6 inches of snow were likely in the valleys. Snowfall rates could exceed 1 inch per hour Saturday evening. This could cause major damage to power lines and tree limbs, especially since trees are still heavy as they have not yet lost their leaves. Strong winds were expected to accompany this system, with sustained winds between 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 30 mph.

Meanwhile, out West, a trough of low pressure and associated cold front continued moving over the northern Rockies and into the northern Plains on Saturday. As this system has limited moisture, it was expected to produce scattered rain showers, with high-elevation snow showers across the northern Rockies. Once it reaches the Dakotas, a wintry mix of rain and snow was expected as overnight lows range in the 30s and daytime highs remain in the 40s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of 5 degrees at Leadville, Colo., to a high of 87 degrees at Opa Locka, Fla.

___

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]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

---

• National Weather Service
  Storm Prediction Center outlooks, watches, warnings, advisories

• Lincoln office of the National Weather Service

• Illinois Department of Transportation map of road conditions

• Emergency Email Network links

  • Radar situation page
  • Regularly updated live radar maps
  • Severe weather map

Click the city for more up-to-the-minute weather information.

 

Chicago, Ill.

Minneapolis, Minn.

Orlando, Fla.

Albuquerque, N.M.

Denver, Colo.

New York, N.Y.

San Francisco, Calif.

Dallas, Texas