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[April 22, 2010]  (AP)  Wet weather was forecast to persist over the western U.S. on Thursday, with snow expected in the central Rockies.

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A low pressure system had strengthened as it moved onshore from the Pacific Ocean, where it picked up abundant moisture before spreading rain and snow over the West Coast. As this system continued moving eastward over the Rockies on Thursday, it was expected to produce another 1-3 inches of snow over the Great Basin and central Rockies. The system would maintain much of its energy and has a history of producing severe weather.

Some thunderstorms were expected to turn severe, with strong winds, hail and periods of heavy rains. Most lower elevations would see less than half an inch of rain, with more anticipated in areas of thunderstorm development. Sunny skies and dry conditions would return to the West Coast as this low moved farther inland and high pressure built in from the west. A few lingering clouds were expected, with highs in the 60s over most of the Pacific Northwest and California. Ahead of this system in the Plains, flow around the low would create a warm front that would extend into the central Plains. This would kick up a few scattered showers and thunderstorms, with rainfall amounts remaining less than a quarter of an inch and up to an inch in areas of thunderstorm development.

The eastern half of the country would remain under mild weather as high pressure dominated Thursday. A ridge of high pressure was forecast to build over the Great Lakes and stretch to the East Coast. New England and the Northeast would be sunny with highs in the 60s, while the Southeast would remain in the 80s. The upper Midwest would see increasingly cloudy skies as the low pressure system and associated warm front approached from the Plains.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a low of 21 degrees at Big Bear City, Calif., to a high of 93 degrees at Pecos, Texas.

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http://www.intellicast.com/

[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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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