The Nations Weather

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

Through the Central and Eastern US, a low pressure system tracked throught the Mid-Mississippi Valley and into the Ohio Valley. This system brought light to moderate snow showers to portions of the Upper Midwest and western Great Lakes region. Wet snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches were reported through southern Minnesota, Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and Lower Michigan, though areas that recieved heavy bands of snow reported as much as 5 to 8 inches. A strong pressure gradient developed over the Plain States, and northerly wind gusts of 25 to 50 mph were generally experienced, though Hastings, Nebraska reported a 54 mph wind gust. On the southern side of this low pressure system, thunderstorms developed over the Lower Mississippi Valley and tracked eastward through the Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley. These storms reportedly produced hail ranging from penny to quarter in size, along with several reports of power lines and trees down, mainly throughout southern Illinois and Kentucky. Meanwhile, scattered showers and thunderstorms impacted the Southeast states. The majority of these storms were not severe, though a few isolated storms produced brief tornadoes and hail up to golf ball size in southern Georgia. Elsewhere, light snow flurries gradually tapered off across northern New England as a result of a weakening system over Maine.

The Western third of the country remained dry and warmer as a high pressure ridge graced the area, with the exception of a few flurries which existed through the High Plains early in the day.

WEATHER EXTREMES SO FAR TODAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............95 Mcallen, TX

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F)...............96 Mcallen, TX

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............-12 Yellowstone, WY

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............-22 Jackson, WY

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH)......................54 Hastings, NE

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES).............1.87 Indianapolis, IN

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1936, two tornadoes struck the town of Gainesville, GA during the morning hours. The twisters resulted in 203 deaths and 1600 injuries.

In 1984, Phoenix, AZ recieved their first measurable rainfall after experiencing 91 straight days without rain.

In 1991, La Crosse, WI reached a record 91 degrees.

DTN-Meteorlogix

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