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[February 25, 2010] (AP) The Northeast was expected to see another snowy day Thursday, while the Pacific Northwest could see more rain.

(Click on map for larger image.)

Caption: The Weather Underground forecast for Thursday shows a major winter storm is expected to bring significant precipitation and strong winds from northern Carolina northward to New England. Meanwhile, scattered rain and mountain snow showers will continue across much of the West. (AP photo/Weather Underground)

Hardware A strong low pressure system spinning over New England and the Northeast was expected to bring another round of snowy conditions. Flow around the system was forecast to pull moisture onshore from the Atlantic Ocean as well as cold air from the Arctic.

Winter storm warnings were issued for the region, with some areas under high wind watches. Gusts of up to 55 mph were expected in parts of the extreme Northeast. Snowfall accumulations could range from 10 to 14 inches over northern New York, between 1 and 3 inches in Pennsylvania and between 3 and 5 inches in New Jersey.

The system also was expected to create a strong flow from the northeast over the Great Lakes, which could create lake-effect snow in parts of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Between 4 and 7 inches of the heavy, damp snow were expected. Most of the Great Lakes region could see high temperatures near 30.

Behind this system, the Plains and southern U.S. were expected to see mild weather. A strong ridge of high pressure was expected to pull cool, dry air in from Canada and allow for mostly sunny skies and breezy conditions.

The South was expected to see highs in the 40s and 50s, while the northern Plains could remain near 20. Winds may gust up to 20 mph over most of the central U.S.

Out West, a persistent low pressure system in the Pacific Ocean was expected to push another round of precipitation over the Pacific Northwest and northern California. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain at lower elevations was expected, while the Sierras and Cascades could see light snow by Thursday evening.

On Wednesday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of minus 27 degrees at International Falls, Minn., to a high of 84 degrees at Miami, Fla.

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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]