LDN - Weather

The nation's weather

[January 11, 2011] (AP) Expect snow showers to move into the Midwest and Northeast on Tuesday, as two separate systems converge into the northeastern U.S.

(Click on map for larger image.)

A low pressure system that moved off of Montana is pushing eastward into the Plains. Flow around this system will continue pushing a cold front eastward that will start the day over the upper and mid-Mississippi River Valley. Throughout the day, the front will move over the Great Lakes and up the Ohio River Valley.

Meanwhile, in the Southeast, a low pressure system that picked up ample moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will take a northward turn and skirt up the East Coast.

These systems combined, in addition to below-freezing temperatures, will allow for snow to develop from the upper Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic states and into the Northeast. The upper Midwest will see lighter snowfall, with total accumulation between 1 to 2 inches, while the mid-Mississippi River Valley may see up to 6 inches. The northern Appalachians will see between 3 to 5 inches of new snow. The Chicago metropolitan area is expected to see between 2 to 4 inches of new snow. The Washington, D.C., area will see lighter snow, with 1 to 2 inches accumulation, while New York will see increasing chances of light snow by Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile in the West, a low pressure system spinning in the Pacific Ocean approaches the Pacific Northwest and northern California. A cold front will lead the system onshore and trigger widespread scattered rain showers with high-elevation snow. The northern Sierras will see light snow from this event, but the Cascades may see between 6 inches to a foot of new snow. Strong winds will accompany this system with gusts up to 30 mph, and up to 50 mph at high mountain passes.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a morning low of minus 24 degrees at Pinedale, Wyo., to a high of 83 degrees at Edinburg, Texas.

___

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]