The Nation's Weather

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

Tropical Storm Fay makes landfall early this morning over southwestern Florida, possibly reaching hurricane strength, and will cross the state throughout the day today. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will impact much of central, southern, and eastern Florida. Winds may gust up to 73 miles per hour, with sustained winds of 45-55 miles per hour likely, but weakening through the day as the storm passes over land. Another threat will be for isolated tornadoes in association with any precipitation activity. Rainfall amounts will range between 3-6 inches, with localized amounts greater than 8 inches possible. All persons with interest in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida Peninsula, and the south Atlantic should monitor the progress of this storm.

In the East, isolated showers and thunderstorms impacted portions of the Great Lakes and the Northeast due to an advancing cold front. Some strong to severe weather was reported, mainly in the form of damaging winds and large hail across both New York and Vermont. Farther south, isolated showers and thunderstorms impacted the Southeast, mainly along the Gulf Coast. No severe weather was reported. For Tuesday, expect continued isolated showers and thunderstorms along a cold front across the Northeast, some strong to severe storms may be possible. To the south, more showers and thunderstorms are likely across the Southeast and the Tennessee Valley by the afternoon hours.

In the western two-thirds of the Nation, scattered showers and thunderstorms impacted the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. Little in the way of severe weather was reported, but heavy rains did make for areas of flooding across northern Texas and western Oklahoma. Further west, enough moisture was in place to allow for isolated showers and thunderstorms across the southern Rockies and the Desert Southwest. Rainfall amounts were generally light. To the northwest, scattered showers and thunderstorms moved across the Pacific Northwest as a strong upper-level trough moved into the region. Severe weather did occur, mainly in the form of large hail. For Tuesday, expect continued showers and thunderstorms along the southern Plains and lower Mississippi Valley. A few strong to severe storms may be possible. Farther west, showers and thunderstorms will impact the southern Rockies, as well as across the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rockies with more strong to severe thunderstorms possible.

WEATHER EXTREMES SO FAR TODAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............116 Death Valley, CA

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............116 Death Valley, CA

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)..............34 Leadville, CO

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)...............28 Leadville, CO

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH).....................55 Marathon, FL

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)............6.61 Marathon, Fl

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1955, the second of 2 systems within a week, Tropical Storm Diane deluged New England with a second round of torrential rainfall. More than 18 inches of rain fell in Westfield, Massachusetts in only 24 hours. An estimated 40% of Worcester, Massachusetts was under water.

In 1986, the mercury soared to 108 degrees in San Antonio, Texas marking their all time hottest temperature.

In 1991, Hurricane Bob makes landfall at Newport, Rhode Island with max sustained winds at 90 miles per hour. Winds gusted as high as 143 miles per hour at Westport Point, Massachusetts. The storm surge at Upper Buzzards Bay reached 15 feet. Over 2.1 million homes were without power. Total damage was reported at $1.5 billion.

DTN-Meteorlogix/K FALTIN

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