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[August 31, 2009]  (AP)  High pressure was forecast to bring cooler than normal temperatures to the central U.S., while wet weather was expected to persist in the East on Monday.

A trough of low pressure was forecast to linger over the East Coast and a stationary front would remain over the Southeast. The trough would bring warm and humid conditions as moisture continued to move in from the Gulf of Mexico, while the front would act as a trigger and kick up scattered showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters said, concentrated storms could turn severe with rainfall totals up to 1 inch in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Meanwhile, a wide area of high pressure was expected to build in over the Plains and stretch into the Mississippi River Valley and over the Great Lakes into the Northeast. Plenty of sunshine was expected to result from this system and it would also allow for cool Canadian air to pour in from the north. Frost advisories were forecast to remain in effect for the Great Lakes region as temperatures would dip into the 30s again Monday night. Highs in the 70s were expected in the northern Plains, and the southern Plains would reach into the 80s. Air quality was expected to remain a threat over parts of Texas, the Houston area in particular, due to the sinking effects of high pressure and keeping pollutants near the surface.

Temperatures along the West Coast would start to return to normal on Monday as offshore flow diminished. Also, a low pressure system sitting off the coast of the Pacific Northwest was expected to aid in pulling moisture into the region; thus, forecasters said a few sprinkles might pop up over the Cascades. Meanwhile, a strong high pressure ridge over the Southwest and central Rockies would allow for warm, dry and breezy weather. Forecasters expected fires to continue to threaten these areas as winds would gust up to 30 mph.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Sunday ranged from a low of 27 degrees at Embarrass, Minn., to a high of 119 degrees at Death Valley, Calif.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]

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