|
 In the Southeast, a frontal boundary stalled over the Gulf coast, while onshore flow persisted from the Gulf of Mexico. This combination was expected to support scattered showers and thunderstorms from eastern Texas, over the
lower Mississippi River Valley and into the Tennessee Valley. Some of these storms were expected to turn severe with heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Meanwhile, to the north, a ridge of high pressure continued building over the Midwest. This was expected to allow for sunny skies to persist, creating a warming trend for the region. Temperatures were expected to remain 15 to 20 degrees above seasonable from the
mid-Mississippi River Valley and through the Ohio River Valley.
Meanwhile in the West, a trough of low pressure that brought rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and
northern Rockies was expected to advance southeastward into the central Rockies. This was expected to produce heavy snow showers for parts of Colorado. Most areas were expected to see
3 to 5 inches of new snow, while highest mountain peaks were expected to see
8 to 12 inches of new snow.
The West Coast, however, was expected to remain dry as a ridge of high pressure remains the dominant weather feature. This was expected to keep any moisture away, allowing for plenty of sunshine. Another system approaches from the Gulf of Alaska, but the strong ridge was expected to keep rain and mountain snow out of the Pacific Northwest and into British Columbia.
Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Friday ranged from a morning low of
minus 12 degrees at Clayton Lake, Maine, to a high of 84 degrees at Lufkin, Texas.
| 
