Antarctica

Weather Underground midday recap for Monday, November 16, 2009.

A fairly active patch of weather developed in the mid-section of the nation as a storm system progressed eastward toward the Mid-Mississippi Valley today. A strong, energetic frontal boundary associated with this system interacted with moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce significant precipitation from areas of the Louisiana coast through the Ohio Valley, and across the Central Plains and the Mid-Mississippi Valley. The majority of this unsettling weather activity developed in the form of light to moderate rainfall with isolated thunderstorms. Persistent rainfall in these regions created local flood risks near streams and rivers. Bands of light to moderate snowfall joined the mix of active weather in eastern Kansas and Iowa. Prolonged periods of snowfall created slick roads, lowered visibilities, and other travel difficulties through the afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning remained in effect in areas of northeastern Kansas, while much of eastern Kansas and northwestern Missouri remained under a Winter Weather Advisory.

Meanwhile, dry and quiet weather lingered over the eastern third of the nation as high pressure remained the dominant weather feature of the region.

Out West, low to mid-level clouds continued to spread into the Pacific Northwest today as the one of several dynamic disturbances approached the Pacific Northwest coast. Strong onshore winds ushered abundant moisture into the region, translating into areas of light to moderate rainfall and heavy precipitation in Olympics and north Cascades. Elsewhere, mostly clear and dry weather conditions developed throughout California and much of the Central Great Basin due to high pressure. Morning temperatures across these regions stayed on the cool side due to overnight cooling. By the afternoon, daytime temperatures recovered and warmed nicely to near seasonal values. Healthy offshore winds associated with this system brought strong, breezy winds to southern California and aided in the warm-up across the region.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday have ranged from a morning low of -5 degrees at Leadville, Colo. to a midday high of 84 degrees at Kendall, Fla.