National Weather at 845pm December 15 2004

[Jeb]

Generally quiet today

8:47 A.M. ET 12/15/2004

 

Chris Dolce, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

 

 

South

Much of the South awoke this morning to the coldest temperatures of the season so far. High temperatures will rebound into the mid- and upper 40s in much of the region, except along the Gulf Coast and Texas where highs will reach the 50s. South Florida and south Texas will find their high temperatures in the 60s. The snowbirds may need to head farther south as high temperatures in Florida will range from 10 to 15 degrees below where they should be in mid- December. Precipitation will be hard to find as high pressure dominates the region. In fact, the region will see sunny skies for the most part, except in extreme southern Texas where a few showers may be found later in the day.

 

Northeast

Sunshine and dry conditions will rule much of the Northeast today as high pressure dominates the region. The only precipitation to speak of is ocean-effect snow that will bring some snowfall to portions of Cape Cod (see Storm Watch). Also, a few lingering lake-effect snow flurries will be found south of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Temperatures will remain cold with daytime highs as much as 15 degrees below average. These chilly temperatures will range from the teens in Upstate New York and far northern New England to the 20s and 30s as you make your way south across the region. The 40s will prevail in much of Virginia.

 

Midwest

Much like the rest of the country, dry conditions will prevail in the Midwest today with the exception of some showers in western Nebraska and South Dakota. Some rain/snow showers will be found in western North Dakota. On Thursday, a clipper system will bring some snow showers to the northern Great Lakes. Temperatures on Wednesday will be mild for the middle part of December in the Upper Midwest and northern Plains with highs ranging from 10 to 20 degrees above average. Afternoon temperatures will top out in the 30s in the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest while 40s and 50s will be the rule for the rest of the area including Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and western Illinois.

 

West

Portions of the West Coast will wake up to foggy conditions this morning. Elsewhere, a weak system will move through the northern Rockies and bring some mainly light precipitation to portions of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the mountains of Colorado. Meanwhile, sunny skies will be the rule for much of the Southwest. Downsloping winds will allow temperatures to warm to 10 to 20 degrees above average across the plains adjacent to the northern Rockies. High temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s for much of the Intermountain West, while the 60s and 70s will be found in the Southwest and coastal California.