The Nation's Weather

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR THURSDAY: HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)...........106 Imperial, CA HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F)............111 Natchitoches, LA LOWEST TEMPERATURE

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 5:12 am

By: News On 6

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR THURSDAY:

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)...........106 Imperial, CA

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F)............111 Natchitoches, LA

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F).............37 Stanley, ID

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F)..............36 La Veta Pass, CO

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH)....................60 Cleveland, OH

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)...........3.74 St. Petersburg, FL

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

In the East, scattered showers and thunderstorms continued to dump significant amounts of rainfall across northern Florida and the Florida Panhandle throughout the afternoon and evening hours. The surface trough that has been producing this activity has slowly progressed northward, allowing for clearing skies across much of southern and central Florida. Isolated showers and thunderstorms have also pushed across the Southeast and Tennessee Valley, bringing small hail, gusty winds, and brief heavy downpours to these regions. Rainfall totals have generally ranged between a quarter to a half of an inch with locally heavier totals acquired with the stronger thunderstorms. Further north, isolated showers and thunderstorms initiated across the central Appalachians late this afternoon, before diminishing shortly after sunset. Otherwise, partly cloudy skies and mainly dry conditions were reported across much of the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Middle Atlantic.

In the central part of the country, scattered showers and thunderstorms continued to wreak havoc across the majority of Texas throughout the day. A weak surface trough across central Texas, coupled with an upper-level low over western Texas and amplified Gulf moisture, created a favorable environment for convective storms throughout the afternoon. Rainfall rates of one to two inches-per-hour were common across central and western Texas, where numerous flood and flash flood warnings and advisories were issued throughout the day. Further north, a cold front stretching northeastward from the central Plains and into the upper Midwest, triggered a line of scattered showers with embedded thunderstorms across portions of Kansas, Missouri, and isolated areas of the upper Mississippi Valley. Rainfall totals with this activity were typically light, with less than a quarter of an inch reported across the impacted areas. Elsewhere, clear to partly cloudy skies continued into the early evening hours across much of the northern and central Plains, as well as western portions of the upper Midwest.

In the West, showers and thunderstorms resumed this afternoon across much of the Desert Southwest, the southern and central Rockies, and the southern Great Basin in association with monsoonal flow. In addition, a weak surface trough developed across the northern Great Basin early this afternoon, acting to amplify and spread this shower activity further westward into portions of western Oregon and northeastern California. Showers and thunderstorms slowly began to diminish near sunset, yielding partly cloudy skies and mild conditions across the most westerly impacted areas. Otherwise, clear to partly cloudy skies and dry, fair conditions continued across the northern Rockies, the far northern Great Basin, much of California, and the Pacific Northwest, as high pressure continued to dominate these regions.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1987, Cheyenne, Wyoming suffered 37 million dollars in damages due to 2 inch hail. At least 12 people were killed while another 70 were injured. The hail drifted into 5-foot deep piles.

In 1994, Fairbanks, Alaska hit its hottest temperature ever for the month of August at 93 degrees.

In 1970, Hurricane Celia struck the coast of Texas just north of Corpus Christi with sustained winds of 130 miles-per-hour and gusts estimated at 180 miles-per-hour. Winds gusted to 89 miles-per-hour 150 miles inland at Del Rio. The damage in Texas was estimated to be $444.9 million with 16 dead and 466 others injured.

FRONTS ACROSS THE NATION:

A cold front extends over Lower Michigan, Illinois, southeastern Iowa, northern Missouri, and Kansas.

NATIONAL WEATHER FORECAST:

Today in the East, a cold front will produce thunderstorms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic during the late afternoon and evening hours. Some storms could become severe, with hail up to one inch in diameter and wind gusts up to 65 miles-per-hour possible; the greatest chances for severe weather will be across New England. In addition, isolated flash flooding will be possible, as storms may generate up to three inches of rain in isolated spots. Meanwhile, daytime heating will trigger scattered afternoon thunderstorm development in the Southeast. Isolated severe storms are possible in the afternoon, but no organized severe activity is expected. High pressure will produce fair weather over the Great Lakes Region and Ohio Valley. Highs will range from the upper 80's to mid 90's across the East today.

In the Central United States, a strong upper-level disturbance will produce thunderstorms today in the Dakotas and Nebraska. Severe storms, with hail up to two inches in diameter, wind gusts up to 70 miles-per-hour, and isolated tornadoes, will be possible in these areas. Meanwhile, monsoonal moisture will produce thunderstorms in western Texas; locally heavy rain will be a concern. Daytime heating will lead to isolated showers and thunderstorms occurring this afternoon in Kansas, Oklahoma, northern Texas, eastern Texas, and Louisiana. High pressure will produce fair weather over the Upper Midwest. Highs will range from the mid 70's to upper 80's across the Upper Midwest. The remainder of the Central United States can expect highs ranging from the mid 80's to mid 90's.

In the West today, monsoonal moisture will lead to scattered thunderstorms developing throughout the Rockies and Four Corners Region in the afternoon. Isolated flash flooding may occur with storms in the Rockies and Four Corners Region, as storms will be slow-moving. Monsoonal moisture will also produce isolated showers and thunderstorms developing in western Nevada and eastern California. Onshore flow will produce foggy conditions along much of the West Coast during the morning hours. Highs will be mainly in the 80's and 90's across the Rockies, Intermountain West, and interior portions of the Pacific Northwest. Areas along the West Coast can expect highs ranging from the low 60's to near 80. Interior California, as well as the Desert Southwest, will warm into the 90's and hundreds today.

Prepared by WeatherBank, Inc.