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[January 01, 2011] (AP) A strong winter storm was continuing its trek across the U.S. on New Year's Day.

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A low pressure system that previously brought heavy rain and snow to the West Coast, then dumped heavy snow as it tracked over the Rockies, was expected to bring heavy snow to the central U.S.

The system created strong winds and heavy snowfall over the central and northern Plains, producing blizzard conditions as well as dangerous road and travel conditions. Now, it's making its way northeast over the Great Lakes. Flow around this system has produced a cold front, which was forecast to move east toward the East Coast. Periods of heavy snowfall were expected in the Midwest and Great Lakes.

Meanwhile, the cold front associated with the system was expected to continue kicking up heavy rain and thunderstorms. This front has a history of producing strong and damaging winds with gusts up to 60 and 70 mph. Multiple tornadoes have developed along this front as well.

The front was expected to move up the Ohio River Valley and into the East Coast, bringing strong storms with heavy rain. The tail end of this front was expected reach into the Southeast, also triggering heavy storms as additional moisture from the Gulf of Mexico feeds energy into the system.

The backside of the system was expected to push cold air into the nation from Canada. That cold air was expected to bring drier conditions, but highs are forecast to range from only zero to 10 degrees. Overnight lows are expected to dip well below freezing and with strong winds, wind chill temperatures could drop below 30 degrees below zero.

Farther west, rainy weather was forecast to return to the West Coast as a Pacific storm moves onshore. Periods of heavy rainfall and high-elevation snow were expected to develop across California as the system pushes a strong front through the state.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of minus 29 degrees at Grand Canyon, Ariz., to a high of 88 degrees at Harlingen, Texas.

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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]