A low pressure system that dumped snow on the Central Rockies was expected to continue moving northeast into the Northern and Central Plains. The system could to create strong winds over the Plains and bring moisture in from the Gulf of Mexico. Light snow was expected to fall in the Northern Plains, while warmer temperatures in the Central Plains could allow for rain.
Flow around the system was forecast to push warm air in from the South and trigger evening rains in the Midwest. Less than an inch of snow could fall in the Dakotas, while scattered showers and thunderstorms were forecast in the Central Plains and Mid-Mississippi River Valley. The Southern Plains were expected to remain dry with highs in the 60s, while the Northern Plains could see highs near freezing.
Behind the system, another Pacific storm spinning offshore was expected to push a cold front over the West Coast. The front was forecast to move south along the California coast with cloudy skies and light rain throughout the day. High temperatures were expected to remain in the 40s statewide.
To the north, high pressure building over the Pacific Northwest could allow for warm and dry conditions. Washington and Oregon were expected to see sunny skies with high temperatures near 60.
High pressure dominating the eastern half of the country was expected to bring more mild weather to the East Coast. Sunshine with highs approaching 40 were expected in the Northeast, while the Southeast could remain in the 60s with overnight lows dipping below-zero.
On Friday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of negative 2 degrees at Mammoth, Calif., to a high of 80 degrees at Peeks, Texas.
