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[September 12, 2008] (AP) Hurricane Ike was forecast to continue moving northwestward through the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to most areas along the northern Gulf. Coastal flooding was possible across the region, especially from western Florida to eastern Louisiana.

Ike was expected to strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane by the afternoon. Tides that have already risen to 2 feet above normal along the Florida Panhandle were to continue rising as the storm strengthens.

To the north, a low pressure system and warm front were forecast to bring showers and thunderstorms to the upper Midwest. The system also was expected to create a cold front that will kick up showers and thunderstorms in the central Plains.

Cool conditions were forecast for the Northeast. Temperatures could dip into the lower 30s overnight, causing frost and freezing in the far northern states. The Mid-Atlantic could see showers.

Tropical Storm Lowell was expected to continue bringing moisture to the Southwest and southern Plains. The storm was forecast to hit Mexico's Baja California peninsula on Thursday morning with 35 mph winds and gusts up to 46 mph. Cool temperatures were predicted along the West Coast.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Wednesday ranged from a low of 26 degrees at Truckee-Tahoe, Calif., to a high of 98 degrees at El Centro, Calif.

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On the Net:

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]