Weather

Much of the area from Florida to southern New Jersey can expect dry weather Friday. Low clouds may persist in the upper part of the Middle Atlantic.

Farther west and north, a series of storms will travel to New England from Texas. The first of these storms is projected to spread snow from part of the lower peninsula of Michigan to northern New York state, New Hampshire, Vermont, Southern Maine and northern Massachusetts. Icy areas are likely from near the Pennsylvania/New York border to part of southern New England. Rain will soak areas from western Pennsylvania and Ohio to central Texas. Some of this rain can be heavy enough to cause localized flash and urban flooding. A few thunderstorms will develop over the lower Mississippi Valley with locally gusty winds.

Areas from the northwestern Great Lakes to the southern Rockies and much of the Southwest states can expect dry weather and partial sun. High pressure is forecast near Kansas and Utah.

Cold air and a storm will affect the northwestern corner of the nation. Snow will fall from interior Washington and Oregon to the northern Rockies and Northern Plains. Some rain is likely in coastal Washington and Oregon.

FOCUS: White Christmas Forecast

A white, snow-covered Christmas is likely across much of the northern third of the country this year, including most of the Rockies. The chances for a white Christmas have increased over the Ohio Valley and Northeast as rain may change to snow Sunday night and early Monday.