LDN - Weather

The nation's weather

[January 15, 2011] (AP) More rain was expected Saturday in the Northwest, snow in the Midwest and some rain in the South. A Pacific storm was likely to continue pushing multiple waves of low pressure onshore over the Pacific Northwest. Those systems were expected to bring more rain to Oregon and Washington, both at low levels and across the Cascades.

(Click on map for larger image.)

Insurance Snow levels at 6,000 feet would allow for rain at even the mountain peaks. Thus, flooding remained of concern for the region's many rivers. Rainfall totals were expected to range from 1 to 2 inches again, and flood advisories were issued across western Oregon and Washington.

To the east, a cold front extended from the low pressure system in the Pacific, over British Columbia and into the northern Rockies. That was expected to allow for snow to develop again over Montana. However, the snow showers were forecast to be significantly less than Friday as the system started to advance eastward into the High Plains. The system was expected to have little moisture remaining, so light snow showers were forecast to develop across the Dakotas on Saturday.

Further east, a low pressure system that kicked up a few inches of snow across the northern Plains and upper Midwest was making its way Saturday over the Great Lakes and Midwest. This was expected to bring more snow to the region, with lake-effect snow anticipated along the eastern shores of the Great Lakes. Up to 3 inches of snow was expected in parts of Michigan, while another 2 inches was likely over northwestern New York.

To the South, high pressure was dominating over the Southeastern states and continued bringing mostly sunny skies and dry conditions. However, flow around this ridge was pushing moisture onshore from the Gulf of Mexico into eastern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Scattered rain showers were expected in these areas throughout the day and the system was forecast to advance eastward toward the lower Mississippi River by evening.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of minus 10 degrees at Chicopee, Mass., to a high of 81 degrees at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

___

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]