Weather

A large storm will affect some of the eastern and central United States on Saturday. Since the storm is forecast to take a path from the lower Mississippi Valley to the northern Appalachians this weekend, mild air will flow north into much of the Ohio Valley and Northeast. As the mild air flows over chilly ground and snow, fog may become dense enough to cause some trouble for travelers. Rain may become heavy enough to lead to stream flooding and minor secondary river flooding in parts of the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Snow and some ice are forecast along the storm’s northwestern flank with additional snowfall for Chicago and Detroit in store. These areas were hit with 6 to 12 inches of snow into Friday night. This storm may bring another 1 to 6 inches of snow to the area.

Some snow will also fall on parts of the central and southern Rockies. A separate storm is expected to drop south. Since little moisture is present, only a light to moderate snowfall is likely. Warmth is forecast to hold on over parts of California, Arizona and New Mexico, while cool air extends from the Northwest to the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Arctic air has been forced out of the nation but may return to the North-Central states toward the middle and later part of next week.

FOCUS: Extreme Drought

Drought conditions continued to worsen this week from the Texas Panhandle through western Oklahoma. Much of this area is now under extreme drought. The last day with measurable precipitation in Amarillo, Texas, was Oct. 13.