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[November 23, 2010] (AP) Wet and snowy conditions were forecast to persist across the western U.S. on Tuesday as a trough of low pressure slowly moved eastward. The system pushes another cold front down the West Coast, kicking up scattered rain showers and high-elevation snow showers.

Rainfall totals across California were expected to range between one-fourth and three-fourths of an inch, while the Pacific Northwest was forecast to return to dry conditions. Winter weather advisories were issued across most of the northern Rockies, Intermountain West, Great Basin and central Rockies as snowfall may be heavy at times.

The northern Rockies were predicted to see between 4 to 7 inches of snow, while the central Rockies were to get 1 to 2 inches, but blizzard conditions were likely as gusty winds were expected on the leading edge of the front. Sustained winds across Utah and Colorado were anticipated near 30 mph, with gusting up to 55 mph in high mountain passes .

Heaviest snowfall was to hit the Sierras on Tuesday as the front swept southward through California throughout the day. Snowfall accumulation between 8 to 12 inches was likely.

These conditions will bring dangerous travel conditions to most of the western U.S. It was advised to take caution and only travel over mountain passes if necessary. Behind this front, expect extremely cool temperatures as cold Arctic air pours in from the north. The Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies were forecast to see highs in the 20s and teens, with lows likely to dip below zero.

Elsewhere across the U.S., a low pressure system over the Great Lakes continued tracking eastward into the Northeast. This was to continue pulling a cold front eastward with it, kicking up more heavy rain with severe thunderstorms. This front has a history of producing heavy rain, strong winds, large hail and tornadoes. If thunderstorms turn severe, they were expected to most likely develop over the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, after moving over the Mississippi River.

Temperatures across the East Coast were seasonable, while the Midwest and northern Plains were predicted to see a cold fall day.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a low of 18 degrees at Jordan, Mont., to a high of 90 degrees at McAllen, Texas.

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[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]