LDN - Weather

The nation's weather

[January 24, 2012] (AP) Snowy conditions persist over the Southwest, scattered showers and thunderstorms develop along the Gulf Coast, and snow showers linger over the Great Lakes on Tuesday.

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A low pressure system that moved over California and into the Great Basin and Four Corners will continue moving southeastward over Colorado and New Mexico. This will allow for snow showers to diminish over the Great Basin and Arizona, while a few lingering snow showers will persist over Colorado and New Mexico. Snowfall accumulation in these areas will range from 3 to 5 inches.

Meanwhile, as this system moves into the southern Plains, it will pull additional moisture and energy onshore from the Gulf of Mexico. This will allow for scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop from the U.S. and Mexico border through Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Some of these storms will turn severe with strong winds, hail, and possibly a tornado or two. Expect rainfall totals to range from 1 to 2 inches, with more likely in areas of severe thunderstorm development.

In the Northeast, a low pressure system that brought wintry weather to the Northeast and Great Lakes will advance into eastern Canada. However, the backside of this system will kick up some lake-effect snow showers along the downwind shores of the Great Lakes. Snowfall accumulation will range from 2 to 3 inches in most of these areas. Elsewhere, precipitation across the East Coast will wind down as a cold front pushes offshore early Tuesday morning.

In the Northwest, another strong trough of low pressure moves onshore, producing another round of rain and high-elevation snow for Washington, Oregon and northern California. New snowfall totals will range from 4 to 6 inches in the Cascades, with 1 to 3 inches likely in far northern California.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday have ranged from a morning low of minus 5 degrees at Gunnison, Colo., to a high of 87 degrees at Crystal River, Fla.

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