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[December 23, 2010] (AP) The Southern California rain event was forecast to wind down Thursday as the stubborn offshore trough of low pressure affecting the region moved eastward.

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Light precipitation over the region was expected to taper off during the morning, while rain continued across the central Great Basin and Southwest. Rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches with locally higher amounts were expected through the day. This would translate into more chance of flooding and flash flooding across the already heavily saturated areas. Light snow and areas of freezing rain were expected in parts of the central High Plains, northern Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley as the system passed the Continental Divide.

Behind this storm, a weak ridge of high pressure was forecast to return a brief period of dry and fairer weather conditions to Southern California and parts of the Southwest by the afternoon. After this ridge, another weaker storm was expected to move into the area with rain and snow for the Christmas weekend. To the north, an approaching frontal boundary would maintain moist flow and precipitation across the Pacific Northwest.

In the East, moist wraparound winds associated with a low pressure system in the western Atlantic were forecast to produce more light to moderate snowfall in New England through the morning. The system would also trigger chances of lake-effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes and across the northern and central Appalachians.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a morning low of minus 17 degrees at Havre, Mont., to a high of 89 degrees at Opa Locka, Fla.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]