Showers in New England, Mid-Atlantic, Deep South; snow in Great Lakes

An area of low pressure was expected to bring scattered showers Monday to the Mid-Atlantic, New England, Deep South and Florida, and snow to the Great Lakes.

In Wisconsin and Michigan, snowfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches were expected in most areas, with a few locations receiving up to one foot. Winds of 25 to 40 mph could cause whiteout conditions at times.

Areas near Lake Erie's shore were expected to see 1 to 2 inches of snow, while 4 to 6 inches were forecast in areas south of Lake Ontario.

A few thunderstorms were forecast over the Florida peninsula. Partly cloudy skies with dry conditions were expected for the remainder of the East.

A secondary surge of cold air was to move across the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley and the Mid-Atlantic, making for a frigid Christmas morning.

In the central United States, a strong ridge of high pressure was expected to bring fair skies and dry conditions to most locations. Clouds and scattered snow showers were predicted in Texas. The remainder of the Great Plains was expected to be cold and clear.

In the West, high pressure was expected to bring partly cloudy skies and dry conditions. Cloudy skies were forecast for the Pacific Coast, but no precipitation was expected. Winds of 40 to 50 mph were expected in the Sierra Nevadas, Cascades and Olympics.

Light snow showers were forecast in northern Arizona and northern New Mexico. The remainder of the West was expected to be partly cloudy and dry.

Highs on Monday were forecast in the 20s in the Great Lakes and the Ohio Valley; 20s and 30s in the northern Plains and northern Rockies; 30s and 40s in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, central Plains and central and southern Rockies; 40s in the Carolinas and the Tennessee Valley; 40s and 50s in the Deep South, Gulf Coast, southern Plains and Great Basin; 50s and 60s in the Desert Southwest; 60s along the Texas and California coasts, and 70s and 80s in south Florida.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states on Sunday ranged from a high of 79 degrees in Key West, Boca Raton, Marathon, West Palm Beach and Naples, Fla., to a low of 15 below zero in Stanley, Idaho, and Gunnison, Colo.

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On the Net:

National Weather Service: http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov

Intellicast: http://www.intellicast.com

University of Michigan site: http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet