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[February 18, 2011] (AP) Another wet and snowy day is anticipated across the western U.S., while the East remains under mild weather conditions Friday.

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A winter storm will continue moving onshore, pushing a cold front eastward with it. This system has obtained abundant moisture and will continue triggering periods of heavy rain and heavy snow in the Sierra Nevadas. This system also pulls in cold air from the north, allowing for temperatures to remain in the 40s, with overnight lows dipping into the teens to near zero at the higher elevations.

The region has seen heavy snow since Wednesday; thus, storm totals by Friday evening will range from 2 to 4 feet above 7,000 feet, and near 1 to 2 feet to 1,500 feet. Road and travel conditions will remain dangerous through the beginning of the weekend. Drivers are urged to take caution when driving and only use all-wheel drive vehicles, as major highway closures are likely.

Lower elevations of California will see another half to an inch of rain Friday, with parts of Southern California seeing well over an inch of rain.

In the East, expect another mild weather day as a wide ridge of high pressure dominates. A weak front kicks up a few clouds, with a chance for scattered showers as it moves through the Midwest, but significant rainfall is not anticipated. The North will see highs near 40, while the South will remain in the mid-70s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday ranged from a morning low of 1 degrees at Cut Bank, Mont., to a high of 88 degrees at Laredo, Texas.

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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]