Weather

A fast-moving storm is expected to bring mostly rain to coastal areas of the Northeast on Thursday, with snow in the mountains and rain and wet snow in between. Total accumulation should reach a few inches or less on unpaved surfaces, with some slush possible on roads. Many roads, even in snowy areas, will be wet around midday and into the afternoon. This may be the last widespread snow of the season for the Northeast.

Most areas from the Southeast to the Mississippi Valley, the Plains, the northern and central Rockies and the coastal Northwest can expect dry weather and at least partial sunshine. Snow from recent storms will melt across the northern Plains and the Midwest, even in spots where temperatures struggle to rise above freezing. Milder air will build over the High Plains, and warmth will linger over the Florida Peninsula.

A storm will move inland across the Southwest. Spotty rain and mountain snow will fall from central and Southern California to Nevada, Utah and Northern Arizona. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop over West Texas and New Mexico, with gusty winds ahead of the storms. Where rain does not fall, the risk of wildfires will remain high.

FOCUS: High Fire Danger in the Southwest

Before much-needed rain develops over the southern High Plains on Friday, ongoing drought conditions and gusty winds will result in a high risk of wildfires today in the Desert Southwest. Dangerous crosswinds, blowing dust and sporadic power failures may also occur.