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December 27, 2000 — Cold, wintry weather continues to be a hot topic across the nation as a slow moving storm iced over the southern Plains and a storm sweeping in from the Midwest threatens the Northeast with a major snowstorm, according to NOAA's National Weather Service. (Click image to see more photos of storm that hit Little Rock, Ark., courtesy of NOAA's National Weather Service Forecast Office in Little Rock.)

For more on the nation's New Year's weekend forecast, go to:
http://weather.gov

The jet stream, in a typical winter pattern, is split over the United States, bringing harsh conditions to both the southern and northern parts of the country.

In the south, a slow moving storm that battered parts of Texas and its neighbors with snow and freezing rain on Tuesday is expected to finally move east toward Florida bringing rain and warmer spring-like weather to the Gulf Coast States. Significant accumulations of snow, sleet and freezing rain produced widespread telephone, water and power outages, and caused major disruptions to air and ground travel during the height of the Christmas travel rush.

In the north, National Weather Service forecasters are casting a weary eye toward the Eastern Seaboard as conditions are ripe for a classic "Nor'Easter" to develop along the coast and bring heavy snow to a region already suffering one of the coldest winters in recent memory.

Residents from Virginia up through New England are urged to keep attuned to weather forecasts as variations in the storm's track could take it safely out to sea or, as some computer models suggest, sock the northeast with a major winter storm.

The National Weather Service encourages all residents to closely monitor this storm through NOAA Weather Radio, the Internet, or their usual media outlets.

Like clockwork, another storm is expected to charge through the upper Midwest with an energetic area of low pressure dropping from the Dakotas to bring a half-foot or more of snow to Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Areas spared from the snow will continue with Arctic low temperatures in the single digits and only as high as the mid-20's.

NWS long-range forecasts in October pointed to normal winter weather and slightly colder temperatures, which means that Nor'Easters, blizzards, and cold weather can be expected. If anyone had forgotten what winter weather is like, this season ought to remind them.

Relevant Web Sites
UPS AND DOWNS MARK YEAR IN WEATHER FOR 2000, NOAA SAYS
FORECASTERS UPDATE WINTER 2000-01 OUTLOOK

2000 IN REVIEW: THE YEAR BEGAN WITH RECORD WARMTH IN THE U.S. AND ENDS WITH COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE COUNTRY
Annual U.S. and Global Temperatures Remain Well above Average

The following National Weather Service Web sites are available to provide up-to-the-minute winter weather information.

Current winter storm watches, warnings and temperatures across the United States

NOAA's Climate Prediction Center — Winter Outlook 2000-2001

National forecasts that extend from three to 14 days in advance

Winter weather safety and preparedness tips to handle snow, ice, wind and bitter cold temperatures

Map showing the latest conditions over the United States

NOAA's Weather Page — includes latest satellite images and weather maps

NOAA's National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services

NOAA's National Weather Service's Hydrometeorological Prediction Center

NOAA ISSUES NATION'S OFFICIAL WINTER OUTLOOK — Initial outlook unveiled October 12, 2000

NOAA Weather Radio

Media Contacts:
Curtis Carey, John Leslie, or Susan Weaver, NOAA's National Weather Service, (301) 713-0622