The nation's weather

[November 19, 2010]  (AP)  The main feature affecting the weather across the nation Friday was forecast to be a strong low pressure system approaching the Pacific Northwest.

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This system developed in the Gulf of Alaska, where it had ample moisture feeding strength and energy into it. This system creates a cold front that was expected to sweep over Oregon and Washington and extend into northern California. Lower elevations across northern California would see less than a tenth of an inch of rain, while the Pacific Northwest may see up to a quarter of an inch Friday. A few inches of snowfall were expected across the Sierras to the 2,000 foot level, while the Cascades may see snow to the 1,000 foot level. By evening, this system was forecast to also reach into the northern Rockies, where it would kick up light snowfall as low as valley floors.

Winter weather advisories were issued across most of the northwestern U.S. as this system was expected to bring dangerous travel conditions through the weekend. Ahead of this system, strong winds were expected, with gusts up to 40 mph in the northern and central Rockies. High mountain passes may see up to 60 mph wind gusts.

In the East, a ridge of high pressure was forecast to dominate east of the Mississippi River and bring mild fall weather. The Northeast would see highs in the 30s and 40s, while New England remained in the 50s, and the Southeast was expected to reach into the 70s.

In the north-central U.S., a weak low pressure system moved through central Canada and northern Minnesota. This would bring light snowfall that was expected to move into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan throughout the day.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a low of 2 degrees at Alamosa, Colo., to a high of 84 degrees at West Palm Beach, Fla.

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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]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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