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Weather Underground Forecast for Tuesday, December 22, 2009.

Messy winter weather will continue over the Northern US as a low pressure system tracks over the Pacific Northwest and into the Northern Plains. This system will have obtained ample moisture from the Pacific Ocean and will continue spreading scattered rain showers with periods of heavy snow expected at higher elevations. A winter weather advisory has been issued over the region as up to 6 inches of snowfall are likely over the Cascades, while the Northern Rockies will see between 1-3 inches of snow. At lower levels, expect less than a half of an inch of rain in most areas.

As this system strengthens in the West, the Northern and Central Plains will see increasingly cloudy skies. This system will trigger a weak trough of low pressure, leading this system eastward across the Central US. While this trough is weak, it may have sufficient energy to kick up a few scattered flurries over the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. The Central Plains will see a sloppy combination of snow and freezing rain on Tuesday. The region is on the brink of a blizzard warning as strong winds will move in from the West. Strong winds with gusts up to 29 mph are anticipated over much of the Plains. Thus, expect a dangerous day for traveling and road conditions.

Further East, high pressure will continue dominating the weather over the East Coast. This will allow for plenty of sunshine with highs in the South near 60, while the Northeast and New England will remain in the 30s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Monday ranged from a low of -9 degrees at Gunnison, Colo. to a high of 76 degrees at Harlingen, Texas.