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[March 19, 2011] (AP) More rain and snow was forecast across the West Coast on Saturday, due to a slow-moving low pressure system in the Pacific Ocean.

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The system was expected to slowly move onshore and continue pushing a cold front southeastward through California. The system was forecast to stretch from the northern Rockies, over the Intermountain West and into southern California by evening.

Periods of heavy snow showers, with rain at lower levels, were expected along the front in addition to strong winds. Maximum wind gusts were forecast to range from 30 to 40 mph, and up to 50 and 60 mph at high mountain passes.

Snowfall accumulation was expected to range from 4 to 6 inches across the Sierras and the northern Rockies. Rainfall totals at lower levels were forecast to range from a half-inch to an inch across the West Coast.

Meanwhile, a ridge of high pressure was dominating the East Coast and was expected to allow for mostly sunny, dry and warm conditions from the Southeast to the Northeast.

A cold front was expected to stall over the central Plains as a trough moved off the Rockies and joined the frontal boundary, changing it into a warm front and slowly pushing northeastward. The movement was forecast to kick up widespread scattered rain showers from Oklahoma to Iowa, reaching into the upper Midwest in the evening hours.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of minus 8 degrees at Yellowstone, Wyo., to a high of 89 degrees at Laredo, Texas.

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Online:

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http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/

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http://www.intellicast.com/

[Associated Press article from Weather Underground]