Weather across America

(NATIONAL) Snow and storms are on the way for parts of the U.S.

Heavy lake effect snow is forecast for areas downwind from Lake Ontario into Tuesday. There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Central Gulf Coast, and parts of the Southeast, as well as a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, Southern Appalachians, and Southern Ohio Valley through Monday morning. Rain and freezing rain are forecast for parts of the Pacific Northwest east of the Cascades through Tuesday evening. And a front extending from the Northeast to the Central Gulf Coast will move off the East Coast and the Gulf Coast by Monday morning. 

Showers and thunderstorms will develop along and ahead of the front over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Central Gulf Coast, and the Southeast through early Monday morning. The dynamics of these thunderstorms have led the Storm Prediction Center to issue a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Central Gulf Coast, and parts of the Southeast through Monday morning. 

The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. In addition, areas of heavy rain will also accompany these thunderstorms. Therefore, the Weather Prediction Center has issued a Marginal Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley, Southern Appalachians, and Southern Ohio Valley through Monday morning. The associated heavy rain will create localized areas of flash flooding, affecting areas that experience rapid runoff with heavy rain.  

Meanwhile, areas of light snow will develop over parts of the Northeast, and along the rain/snow line, areas of rain/freezing rain will develop through Sunday evening. Residents in the regions mentioned above are urged to double-check road conditions and the current forecast before traveling, as ice-covered roads require longer stopping distances. Most of the rain and snow will end over the Northeast on Monday. However, cold air will move over the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and the Northeast in the wake of the cold front. 

The cold air moving over Lakes Superior and Huron then over Lake Ontario will produce heavy lake effect snow for areas downwind from Lake Ontario from Monday into Tuesday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will continue over Florida through Tuesday afternoon.  

Upper-level ridging will develop over parts of the Northwest. In addition, a warm front will move onshore over the Northwest on Monday. As a result, rain will develop over parts of the Pacific Northwest Coast. As the moisture moves farther inland, some snow will develop over the highest elevations of the Northern Cascades. East of the Cascades, cold air will be trapped in the valleys allowing rain/freezing rain to develop over the region through Tuesday evening. 

Residents in the area are urged to double-check road conditions and the current forecast before traveling, as ice-covered roads require longer stopping distances.