The Nations Weather

In the East, an upper-level low pressure system was responsible for isolated showers and thunderstorms across portions of New England. No severe weather was reported and rainfall amounts were light. Farther south, isolated showers and thunderstorms also impacted portions of the Southeast, mainly along the Gulf Coast down into Florida. High pressure provided for quiet and dry conditions across the Mid-Atlantic, Tennessee Valley, central Appalachians, the Ohio Valley, and the Great Lakes.

In the central United States, the main story was the left over remains of Gustav, which weakened to a tropical depression. Gustav was responsible for continued showers and thunderstorms across much of the lower Mississippi Valley, slowly spreading north into portions of the middle Mississippi Valley by the late afternoon hours Tuesday. Torrential rainfall and a fair bit of tornadoes were associated with this activity. Rain amounts exceeded over 7 inches across portions northern Louisiana. Widespread flooding has occurred as a result, extending from northern Arkansas down to southern Louisiana. Strong winds, even outside of any thunderstorm activity, also impacted much of the region. To the north, a cold front produced a swath of showers and thunderstorms that extended from the upper Mississippi Valley down into the northwestern portions of Texas and Oklahoma. No severe weather was reported, but some locations experienced rainfall amounts in excess of 1 inches.

In the West, isolated showers and thunderstorms erupted in the afternoon hours across portions of the Desert Southwest and the southern Rockies. No severe weather was observed and rainfall amounts were generally under 0.40 inches. Elsewhere across the region, variably cloudy skies and dry conditions were generally present. Across central California coast, some record high temperatures were set with the dry air and offshore flow.

For Wednesday, look for the remains of Gustav to continue to pound the middle and lower Mississippi Valley with heavy rainfall and isolated tornadoes. Rain totals may exceed 6-8 inches and widespread flooding is likely. Elsewhere, isolated showers and thunderstorms will be found across portions of New England, the Great Lakes, and the Southeast. To the west, look for more showers and thunderstorms over the central and southern Rockies, while a new cold front will spread precipitation across the Pacific Northwest late day.

WEATHER EXTREMES SO FAR TODAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............107 Thermal, CA

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............107 Thermal, CA

...........................................107 Imperial, CA

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............13 Charleston, NV

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............13 Charleston, NV

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................53 Dalhart, TX

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............7.72 Monroe, LA

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1967, an incredible hail and windstorm ravages the Panhandle of Texas. Golfball size hail was blow along 100mph wind gusts over a large portion of the region. This resulted in major destruction of any crops.

In 1970, Coffeyville, Kansas was stuck by a now legendary hailstorm. One hailstone measured in at 17.5 inches in diameter, and weighed in at 1.67 lbs.

In 1979, the path of Hurricane David makes its first of 2 landfalls at Palm Beach, Florida.

DTN-Meteorlogix

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