The nation's weather
Weather UndergroundSevere weather could sweep through the Southeast on Thursday, while widespread scattered precipitation was expected over most of the Central U.S.
A strong low pressure system was forecast to push northeast from Mexico and create a warm front that could push abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico into the U.S. Strong storms with periods of heavy downpour and intense winds could develop along the front and track through the Lower Mississippi River Valley and over most of the Gulf states.
Moderate to heavy thunderstorms were expected to leave 1 to 2 inches of rain in the Southeast, while up to a half of an inch could fall in the Tennessee Valley and Mid-Atlantic states.
The low pressure system also was forecast to pull light moisture north. Due to cold air pouring in from the North, the combination could allow for light and scattered snowfall over the Ohio River Valley. Snow may reach into the Great Lakes and New England by evening.
In the Plains, moisture was expected to spread from the Southern Rockies into the Central Plains, with between 1 and 2 inches of snow expected. As the system moved east, strong winds on the back side of the system were expected to sweep through the Southern and Central Rockies. Wind gusts could reach up to 35 mph.
In the West, a low pressure system was forecast to continue pushing a cold front onshore that could allow for another overcast day with scattered showers. About an inch of rain was expected over parts of northern California and Oregon, while snow could fall in the Sierras and Cascades. The Sierras could see up to 7 inches by Thursday night.
On Wednesday, temperatures in the Lower 48 states ranged from a low of negative 22 degrees at International Falls, Minn. to a high of 81 degrees at Miami, Fla.