The nation's weather

Active weather is anticipated on the Gulf Coast on Friday.

Showers and thunderstorms will continue along a cold front just offshore in the Gulf as a strong trough in the jet stream approaches. This trough will help to energize the precipitation, bringing some very heavy rain to the region. The drought hit southern portion of the state should receive plentiful rain, though not enough to significantly ease the drought. Wet weather will eventually spread north later in the day, reaching into Kansas and Colorado.

While the southern Plains see thunderstorms, New England will remain firmly in the grip of winter as low pressure passes through Canada. Cool temperatures and morning snow are expected throughout the region, with 2-6 inches of snow possible in portions of Maine.

In the Northwest, a Pacific storm will move into the coast, bringing wet weather to Washington and Oregon. The rain will be mostly limited to the coastal mountains until late evening when it will begin to push inland more.

To the south of the storm, California can expect to see clear skies and warm temperatures. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Thursday have ranged from a morning low of -22 degrees at West Yellowstone, Mont., to a high of 84 degrees at Plant City, Fla.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/386c25518f464186bf7a2ac026580ce7/Article_2012-02-17-Weatherpage-Weather/id-3db8ddf7a49a4430a0815e38a88069fa

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