A low pressure system had significantly strengthened as it moved off the Rockies and into the Plains. The system was expected to continue skirting along the U.S. and Canadian border, while pushing a cold front through the
central U.S. The front was forecast to start the day stretched from Minnesota to Oklahoma and make its way into the Great Lakes and Ohio River Valley by evening.
This system had a history of producing strong winds and heavy rain. Rainfall totals were expected to range from a quarter- to a half-inch in most areas, with up to an inch under areas of thunderstorm development.
The main concern for this system was high winds. Strong winds from 20 to 30 mph were expected, and gusting up to 40 mph was likely. Thus, the entire Midwest was placed under a high wind advisory.
The backside of this system would pull cold air in from Canada. The high Plains and
northern Rockies were expected to see some scattered snow showers, with a couple of inches likely across the Dakotas.
Farther west, more rainy conditions were anticipated across the Pacific Northwest and northern California as another trough pushed moisture onshore. Another cool and dreary day was expected in the north, while the Southwest would see a few patchy clouds and mild temperatures.
In the East, a mild high-level trough was forecast to slowly move offshore but continue kicking up some scattered showers and thunderstorms over the Mid-Atlantic and southern New England states. Forecasters said the Northeast may see some lingering showers as a front slowly moved northeastward and away from the region.
Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a low of 8 degrees at Berthoud Pass, Colo., to a high of 99 degrees at Del Rio, Texas.
