Santa Barbara, CA

Weather Underground midday recap for Friday, February 03, 2012.

A strong winter storm moved into the Central Plains on Friday, which produced heavy precipitation and strong winds. The system pulled moisture and energy in from the Gulf of Mexico and allowed for heavy snow showers to develop in the North and heavy rain showers in the South. Heaviest snowfall developed over Nebraska and Kansas, with snowfall accumulation from 6 to 10 inches. Blizzard warnings were issued in these areas due to strong winds gusts up to 45 mph. In combination with heavy snow, this created white-out conditions and dangerous road conditions across the Central Plains. Meanwhile, to the south, a cold front moved into the Southern Plains. Heavy rain showers developed ahead of this frontal boundary from Texas through the Mid- and Lower Mississippi River Valley. Rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 3 inches across parts of Oklahoma and northern Texas, and Louisiana, while most areas saw 1 to 2 inches of rain. Thunderstorms developed in some areas, but these thunderstorms have not yet turned severe. Alexandria Esle, Louisiana reported the heaviest rainfall with a mid-day total of 3.02 inches.

Behind this system, high pressure built over the West Coast and created another dry and pleasant day. This system pushed moisture offshore, which produced plenty of sunshine and created a warming trend for most of the Pacific Northwest and California. High pressure also covered the East Coast and brought a sunny day with mild temperatures. Highs ranged in the 40s and 50s for most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.