US

Weather Underground midday recap for Tuesday, January 06, 2009.

Tuesday’s major weather producer was the frontal system that stretched from the Southern Plains northeastward across the Mid-Atlantic. This system combined with moist south and southwest flow caused significant precipitation across the southern and eastern U.S. Tuesday. Widespread snow showers with periods of blowing snow swept through portions of the mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, central Appalachians and northern Mid-Atlantic. A surge of moisture combined with enough cold air near the ground caused freezing rain and ice falling over portions of the northern Mid-Atlantic, eastern Ohio Valley and southern New England. Icy roads led to many accidents and gusty winds knocked down trees and powerlines. Farther south, widely scattered showers and thunderstorms pounded through the southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic. Rainfall on Tuesday averaged 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts. This heavy rainfall caused some rivers, streams and creeks to rise that resulted in areas of flooding in Mississippi, Alabama, northern Georgia and eastern Tennessee.

Out West, wintry conditions persisted across the Pacific Northwest, northern Intermountain West and northern Rockies Tuesday. Light to moderate snow fell above 2000 to 2500 feet, with total snowfall amounts of 6 inches to a foot. Lower elevations saw mostly rain Tuesday.

Temperature wise, the coldest region in the nation was over the northern Plains, where temperatures in the afternoon only climbed into the 10s and 20s. The Southeast, on the other hand, experienced a beautiful sunny day. Temperatures rose nicely into the 70s and lower 80s.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday have ranged from a morning low of -23 degrees at Ely, Minn to a midday high of 84 degrees at Tampa Vandenberg, Fla.