Weather Underground midday recap for Tuesday, March 12, 2013.
Wet weather moved into the Eastern Seaboard on Tuesday as a winter storm over the Great Lakes lifted northeastward into southeastern Canada and the system¼'s associated cold front crossed the Appalachians with waves of low pressure. Warm and moist south-southwesterly flow ahead of the energetic frontal disturbance allowed for moderate to heavy rains to fall across much of the East, from the Florida Peninsula through Maine. Heavy rain in much of the southern and central Mid-Atlantic moved offshore by the afternoon, while chances of a few sporadic thunderstorms lingered in the wake of this exiting swath. These storms were not expected to organize and turn severe. Meanwhile, a variety of Flood Advisories, Watches, and Warnings continued for New England due to the combination of today¼'s heavy rain and significant snowmelt from today¼'s mild temperatures. This weather setup increased runoff and allowed for ponding of water on roadways, possible poor drainage flooding, and rising streams.
Behind the cold front, cool northwesterly winds filled in across the Midwest and led to below average daytime highs across the region. Some light snow showers and ice pellets also developed downwind of the Great Lakes and in areas of Iowa, western Illinois, western Wisconsin, and southern Minnesota.
Elsewhere, an approaching front kicked up rain and high elevation snow in the northern Pacific Northwest, while light, scattered snow showers blanketed the Northern Rockies.
Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Tuesday have ranged from a morning low of -2 degrees at Yellowstone, Wyo. to a midday high of 82 degrees at Thermal, Calif.
