Weather Info For Wednesday

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR WEDNESDAY HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............80 Fort Lauderdale, FL ........................................... Miami, FL ...........................................

Thursday, December 27th 2007, 7:05 am

By: News On 6

WEATHER EXTREMES FOR WEDNESDAY

HIGHEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............80 Fort Lauderdale, FL

........................................... Miami, FL

........................................... Hollywood, FL

HIGHEST HEAT INDEX (DEGREES F).............82 Ft Lauderdale, FL

........................................... Hollywood, FL

........................................... Marathon, FL

........................................... Miami, FL

LOWEST TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F)............-19 Alamosa, CO

LOWEST WIND CHILL (DEGREES F).............-33 Alamosa, CO

HIGHEST WIND GUST (MPH)....................75 Mojave, CA

HIGHEST PRECIPITATION (INCHES)...........2.52 Goldsboro, NC

NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY:

In the East yesterday, rain and thunderstorms affected the Carolinas and Virginia with about a half inch to 0-point-75 inches of liquid in many spots. The storms brought lightning strikes, gusty winds, and periods of heavy rainfall to the region. Goldsboro, North Carolina experienced the heaviest rainfall with 2-point-52 inches reported. Oceana, Virginia also received 1-point-64 inches of rain, and 1-point-15 inches of rain fell at Chapel Hill, North Carolina as well. The storm system moved northeastward yesterday afternoon and evening, producing a mix of rain and light sleet and freezing rain over parts of New Jersey, southeastern New York, and southern New England. Areas of patchy dense fog formed across Florida and much of the Southeast early yesterday. A low pressure system moved into the Ohio Valley yesterday afternoon and evening, generating rain from Indiana through Tennessee, and scattered thunderstorms in Mississippi and Alabama. Fair weather prevailed across Florida yesterday.

Across the central part of the country, a band of heavy snow showers affected parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Accumulations generally ranged between three and seven inches. Mankato, Minnesota experienced over six inches; five and a half inches of new snow was reported at Lakeville, Minnesota. Elsewhere, a line of rain showers and thunderstorms moved out of eastern Texas and into portions of Oklahoma and the Lower Mississippi Valley. A few strong thunderstorms produced frequent lightning, strong winds, small hail, and heavy downpours. A tornado touched down in Terrebonne Parish in southern Louisiana yesterday afternoon, severely damaging five homes. 0-point-93 inches of rain fell at Longview, Texas, and 0-point-66 inches of rain was reported at Conroe, Texas. Snow showers also fell across the Panhandles of both Oklahoma and Texas, and into western Oklahoma. Snowfall accumulations were generally around one to two inches, but three inches of new snow fell at Adrian, Texas. Otherwise, partly to mostly cloudy skies prevailed across the rest of the region.

Yesterday in the West, mostly cloudy skies, rain showers, and mountain snow fell into the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rocky Mountains. Rainfall amounts were generally light under a quarter of an inch. Snowfall accumulations at the higher elevations ranged from two to five inches. The Santa Ana winds continued across central and southern California. Wind gusts of 45 to 70 miles-per-hour were common. Otherwise, partly to mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions were found across the high Plains, the central and southern Rocky Mountains, the Desert Southwest, and the Great Basin.

ON THIS DATE IN HISTORY:

In 1892, 17-point-7 inches of snow fell in Norfolk, Virginia in a 24 hour period. Snow fell in northern Florida for the first time in 35 years.

In 1988, twelve tornadoes tore across Mississippi. A tornado produced wind gusts of 80 miles-per-hour in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.

In 1996, dense fog caused numerous car accidents on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa, Florida. Fifty vehicles were involved in car crashes. One person was killed and 24 people were injured.

FRONTS ACROSS THE NATION

A cold front extends southward across eastern Wisconsin and eastern Illinois.

A stationary front is draped southeastward across eastern Montana. NATIONAL WEATHER

FORECAST

Today in the East, a low pressure system will produce a mix of rain and snow from the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes Region northeastward through western New York. Snow accumulations will generally range between a trace and two inches. The low will intensify along the New England coastline, which will result in snow and sleet falling over northeastern New York, and much of northern and central New England this afternoon. Snow accumulations of two to five inches will be possible in these areas this afternoon, with up to a tenth of ice accumulation possible. Across coastal New England, most of the precipitation should fall as rain, but wet snow could mix in. No more than a trace of snow is expected. The system will also produce light rain showers over the Tennessee Valley and Southeast during the morning hours. Highs will range from the low 20's to near 40 across New England. The remainder of the Northeast, as well as the Great Lakes Region and Ohio Valley, can expect highs ranging from the low 30's to near 50. Across the Mid-Atlantic and Tennessee Valley, highs will be mainly in the 50's. The Southeast will experience highs generally ranging from the mid 50's to mid 70's, but areas in southern Florida will warm into the 80's.

In the central United States, a weak low pressure system will produce snow showers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin today. Snow accumulations will range between a trace and two inches. A stronger area of low pressure will take shape in the High Plains, generating moderate snow in western Nebraska, western Kansas, and the Oklahoma Panhandle. Snow accumulations of four to eight inches will be common in these areas. Lighter snow will fall in the Dakotas, with no more than one inch of snow expected. Ahead of the system, a few rain showers and thundershowers are possible along the coastline of Texas. High pressure will produce dry weather over the remainder of the central United States today. Highs will range from the mid teens to low 30's throughout the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with 20's and 30's expected throughout the central Plains. In the southern Plains, highs will be in the 40's and 50's over northern Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, while the rest of the area will experience highs in the 60's and 70's.

In the West today, a low pressure system developing in the High Plains will bring moderate to heavy snow to Colorado and northern New Mexico. Snow accumulations of four to eight inches, with locally higher amounts, will occur east of the Rockies. Across the higher terrain of western Colorado and northern New Mexico, six to twelve inches of snow can be expected. Meanwhile, a strong Pacific storm system will bring moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow to Washington, Oregon, and northern California. The highest elevations in these areas will receive five to ten inches of snow, while lower elevations can expect accumulations of two to six inches. Rain will mix with the snow in the afternoon across the lower elevations. Elsewhere, a series of weak disturbances will bring scattered snow showers to the northern Rockies and parts of the Intermountain West; one to four inches of snow accumulation are possible. Dry weather will prevail over the remainder of the West. However, strong winds will continue to pummel the higher elevations in southern California. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 miles-per-hour, with gusts as high as 70 miles-per-hour, will be possible across the higher terrain. Highs will range from the teens to the 30's over most of the Rockies and Intermountain West, while the Pacific Northwest can expect highs ranging from the mid 20's to mid 40's. Areas in northern and central California can expect highs ranging from the mid 30's to mid 50's. Southern California and the Desert Southwest will experience highs mainly in the 50's and 60's.