NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY

SEPTEMBER 2005

4th-10th...In the East, Tropical Storm Ophelia continued to push
northward across the Florida Atlantic coast, generating scattered
showers and thunderstorms, gusty winds, and destructive storm surges
across the northeastern coast of Florida. The coasts of Georgia and
South Carolina began to feel the effects of Ophelia today, reporting
cloud cover, gusty winds, and bigger storm surges than yesterday.
Rainfall across Florida has remained less than a third of an inch so
far this afternoon. Daytona Beach, Florida reported the highest
rainfall total across the state, with 1.23 inches. Further north,
scattered showers and thunderstorms developed earlier across portions
of the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, northern Mid-Atlantic, and northern
New England this morning along a cold front. Showers have dissipated
over the past few hours and variably cloudy skies have developed.
Otherwise, high pressure brought partly cloudy skies and dry conditions
to the middle Mid-Atlantic, Tennessee Valley, and the Southeast this
morning. In the mid-section, scattered showers and thunderstorms
developed across the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley
region this afternoon ahead of an organizing low pressure system. Many
storms across far eastern North Dakota have been severe this afternoon,
reporting penny and nickel sized hail, as well as flash flooding.
Rainfall totals have remained under a quarter of an inch. Scattered
showers and thunderstorms also developed across southern Texas this
morning as the result of abundant moisture. Corpus Christi, Texas
reported the highest rainfall total so far today, with 1.49 inches.
Elsewhere, high pressure produced partly cloudy skies and dry
conditions across the central and southern Plains, as well as the
middle and lower Mississippi Valley regions.
In the West, a deep trough of low pressure continues to dig into the
Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains. Scattered showers and
thunderstorms developed across the northern, central, and southern
Rockies, the Great Basin, the Pacific Northwest, and northern
California as a result of low pressure moving across the region. Some
of the thunderstorms across the central Rockies, especially Utah and
western Colorado, became severe during the afternoon. Hail the size of
nickels fell east of Green River, Utah, and ping-pong ball size hail
was observed at Goblin Valley, Utah. Rainfall totals have remained
under a quarter of an inch. The only locations to see partly cloudy
skies and dry conditions this afternoon have been southern California
and portions of the Desert Southwest.

11th-17th...In the East, Tropical Storm Ophelia continued to inch
toward the Mid-Atlantic region, allowing for some cloudy skies, gusty
winds, and light rain showers right along the coastline of the
Carolinas on Monday. Wind gusts of 38 mph were recorded in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina, and to 32 mph in Cherry Point, North Carolina.
Rainfall amounts remained light. Elsewhere, high pressure provided a
beautiful day of partly cloudy skies and above normal temperatures
across the Northeast, the Great Lakes, the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys,
much of the Mid-Atlantic, and the Southeast. High temperatures reached
into the 80s and lower 90s for the entire region. In the Central part
of the country, a strong cold front continued to bring numerous rain
showers and thunderstorms to the northern Plains and the Upper
Mississippi Valley. A few of these storms were severe with frequent
lightning, gusty winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and heavy
downpours. Most of these storms developed during the early morning
hours, and then lasted well into the evening. One thunderstorm in Ord,
NE dropped golf ball size hail and produced a brief tornado. Tennis
ball size hail also pounded Erwin, South Dakota, and quarter size hail
was reported in Lake Norden, SD and Ellis, KS. However, the main
concern was the heavy rainfall of over an inch in many locations. A
moist and unstable airmass remained in place over the southern Plains,
producing scattered showers and thunderstorms across eastern and
southern Texas. No severe weather was reported with this activity and
rainfall amounts remained under a quarter of an inch. Otherwise, partly
cloudy skies and fair conditions were experienced across the central
Plains, much of the southern Plains, and the Mid and Lower Mississippi
Valley. High temperatures reached into the 60s and 70s in the northern
Plains and parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley; into the 80s and
lower 90s in the central Plains, much of the southern Plains, and the
Mid and Lower Mississippi Valley; and into the upper 90s and lower 100s
in southwestern Texas. In the West, a strong upper-level disturbance
pushed into the Rocky Mountain region and the High Plains, producing
gusty winds, rain showers and thunderstorms, and high elevation snow
showers. Snow showers fell across northern Wyoming above 8000 feet with
2 to 4 inches of new snow in some areas. Showers and thunderstorms
developed across the rest of the region. However, no severe weather was
associated with these storms and rainfall amounts were light. Gusty
winds also ripped through Wyoming and Colorado. Winds were sustained
out of the west at 20 to 30 mph with gusts of near 50 mph at times.
Otherwise, mostly sunny skies and unseasonably cool conditions
dominated the rest of the region. High temperatures reached into the
60s and 70s in the Rocky Mountain region, the northern High Plains, the
Pacific Northwest, the Great Basin, and much of California; and into
the 80s and 90s in the central and southern High Plains, the Desert
Southwest, and southeastern California.
Hurricane Ophelia spread heavy rain and strong wind Wednesday along the
coasts of the Carolinas. Three inches had fallen by midday in
Wilmington, NC, and North Myrtle Beach, SC. The Great Lakes and Ohio
Valley had widespread showers and thunderstorms. Elsewhere in the East,
skies were mostly clear to partly cloudy.
In the nation's midsection, showers and thunderstorms continued across
much of the southern Plains and Mid-Mississippi River Valley, with some
spots reporting half an inch of rain or more. High pressure brought
clearing skies and cool temperatures to the northern Plains and Upper
Midwest. Texas and Louisiana remained warm and humid with isolated
showers and thunderstorms. It was mostly calm and dry in the West with
pleasant temperatures.

18th-24th...Potent storms swirled over the Midwest early Monday, while
a hot day dawned over the South and high pressure kept skies over the
West clear and dry.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms were forecast across the Ohio
Valley, Upper
Mississippi River Basin, Great Lakes, Appalachians and northern
Tennessee Valley. More scattered showers and thunderstorms were
predicted over Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, northern Missouri and the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. High pressure was to dominate the Plains, Ozarks and Lower
Mississippi River Basin. A slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm
exists across the Southern Plains. Over the West, a large area of high
pressure was forecast to bring partly cloudy skies with dry conditions
to the Rockies, Great Basin, northern California and the Pacific
Northwest.
In the East, numerous showers and thunderstorms continued to affect
much of Florida and southern Georgia due to a moist and unstable
airmass left over from Hurricane Rita on Wednesday. Frequent lightning,
gusty winds, and heavy downpours were associated with these storms. In
fact, heavy rainfall of over two inches occurred in localized areas
such as Melbourne, FL with 3.84 inches of rain, and Cocoa, FL with 2.85
inches. Elsewhere, a few showers and weak thunderstorms moved into the
Great Lakes region as a low pressure system approached. No severe
weather was reported with these storms, and rainfall amounts were
light. Otherwise, a strong ridge of high pressure allowed for mostly
sunny skies and fair conditions across the rest of the region. High
temperatures reached into the upper 70s to the mid 80s in the
Northeast, the Great Lakes, the Ohio Valley, and the Mid-Atlantic
region; and into the upper 80s and the lower 90s in the Tennessee
Valley and the Southeast. In the Center of the country, a low pressure
system brought cloudy skies, showers, and strong to severe
thunderstorms to the northern Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley.
The main threat with these storms was frequent lightning, strong winds,
large hail, isolated tornadoes, and brief downpours. Two tornadoes were
reported thus far, one in A****er, Minnesota, and one in Brooklyn Park,
Minnesota. It is unknown if there was any damage associated with these
tornadoes. Tennis ball size hail also pounded Rice Lake, Wisconsin and
two inch diameter hail was reported in Richmond, Minnesota. Strong
winds of 78 mph ripped down trees and power lines in Crystal, Minnesota
as well. As for the central and southern Plains, and the Mid and Lower
Mississippi Valley, partly cloudy skies and warm conditions prevailed
as high pressure dominated the area. High temperatures reached into the
70s and the lower 80s in the northern Plains and northern Minnesota;
into the mid 80s and the lower 90s across the Upper and Mid Mississippi
Valley; and into the mid 90s to the lower 100s across the central and
southern Plains, and the Lower Mississippi Valley. In the West, an
upper-level trough allowed for showers and thunderstorms across parts
of the Great Basin, the Desert Southwest, the Rocky Mountain region,
and the central High Plains. The strongest storms were capable of
producing frequent lightning, strong winds, small hail, and brief
downpours. Winds of 63 mph were recorded just north of Cheyenne,
Wyoming, and a little while later winds of 66 mph were measured west of
Cheyenne, Wyoming. Rainfall amounts remained under a quarter of an
inch. Elsewhere, onshore flow kept the coastal regions of California
cool and cloudy. Otherwise, mostly sunny skies and fair conditions
dominated the rest of the region. High temperatures got into the 60s an
70s along the coastal regions of California, the Pacific Northwest, the
Great Basin, the Rocky Mountain region, and the northern High Plains;
into the 80s and 90s in the central and southern High Plains, the
Desert Southwest, and inland California.
Hurricane Rita was downgraded a notch to a Category 3 storm Friday, but
still packed 125 mph winds as it roared toward the Texas and Louisiana
coast. Rita spread showers and thunderstorms across coastal Alabama and
Mississippi, which recorded wind gusts up to 35 mph. Tornado warnings
were issued in Mississippi and Louisiana, but no damage was reported. A
broad cold front produced scattered showers and thunderstorms across
much of the Northeast to the northern Tennessee Valley.

The Nation's Weather25th-30th...The remnants of Tropical Depression
Rita moved north Sunday into the Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio
valleys with flooding rains and severe thunderstorms. Downpours caused
flooding across much of west and central Mississippi, with 3 feet of
water in some low-lying areas. Gusts nearing 60 mph were recorded in
the state and downed trees were reported in Port Gibson. Downed trees
and power lines also were reported in the Memphis, Tenn., area and
flash floods soaked much of western Tennessee. Eastern Louisiana and
western Arkansas also experienced strong storms and gusty winds from
Rita's remnants. Farther north, showers and thunderstorms formed from
Minnesota to central New York.
In the EAST, scattered showers and thunderstorms occurred across South
Carolina, Georgia, and Florida in association with an upper-level
disturbance over the area on Wednesday. One severe storm dropped
half-dollar sized hail on Moore Haven, Florida this afternoon.
Meanwhile, rain ahead of a cold front began to push into the Ohio
Valley and Great Lakes Region. The Northeast and Middle Atlantic
experienced mostly sunny skies and dry conditions underneath a ridge of
high pressure. Afternoon high temperatures ranged from the upper 60's
to mid 70's across the Northeast and Great Lakes Region, while the Ohio
Valley and Middle Atlantic experienced highs ranging from the mid 70's
to mid 80's. In the Southeast, high temperatures were generally in the
middle and upper 80's.
In the Central United States, a strong cold front plowed southeastward
across the Upper Midwest, Mississippi Valley, and central Plains. Ahead
of the front, widespread rain occurred from the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan southward through northern Missouri. This front also produced
thunderstorms over southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, and eastern
Oklahoma this afternoon. Some of these storms became severe. Wind gusts
of 65 mph were experienced in Everton, Missouri, which tore thick
branches off of trees. Meanwhile, behind the cold front, gusty winds
occurred throughout the central Plains. Wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph were
common across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. High pressure resulted in
fair weather over the northern Plains, while hot and muggy conditions
persisted across central and southern Texas. Highs this afternoon were
primarily in the 50's and 60's throughout the Upper Midwest and
northern Plains. Highs in the central Plains varied greatly due to the
presence of the previously mentioned cold front; 60's and 70's
prevailed over Nebraska, Kansas, and northern Missouri, while southern
Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma experienced highs in the 80's and
90's. In Louisiana and Texas, highs climbed into the 90's and hundreds
in most locations. The exception, however, was the Texas Panhandle,
where highs were in the 70's. In the West, a low pressure system
generated scattered showers and thunderstorms over New Mexico, southern
Colorado, and southeastern Utah, with most of this activity occurring
in northern New Mexico. Otherwise, however, clear to partly cloudy
skies and dry conditions prevailed over the remainder of the western
third of the Nation due to the presence of a large ridge of high
pressure. High temperatures were generally in the 50's and 60's across
the northern Rockies, while highs in the Four Corners Region generally
ranged from the upper 50's to upper 70's. 60's and 70's prevailed
across the Great Basin and interior portions of the Pacific Northwest.
Along the West Coast, highs were in the 50's and 60's from northern
Washington through central California. Southern coastal California, as
well as interior portions of the state, experienced highs primarily in
the 70's and 80's this afternoon. Meanwhile, 90's prevailed over a
majority of the Desert Southwest.
In the East, a large dome of high pressure continued to provide mostly
sunny skies with dry conditions and pleasant temperatures this
afternoon. Temperatures ranged in the 50's across the Northeast, 60's
were found over the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and
Appalachians, while 70's prevailed across the Tennessee Valley,
Carolinas, and much of the Deep South. Temperatures were in the 80's
along the Gulf Coast and Florida. A few isolated showers and
thunderstorms affected Florida, but rainfall amounts ranged under
0-point-10 inches thus far today. In the central regions of the
country, an upper-level disturbance brought mostly cloudy skies with
scattered showers and thunderstorms to the Texas Panhandle and far
western Oklahoma. So far today, rainfall amounts have ranged under 0.15
inches. Further north, a warm front pushed into the Dakotas and
produced partly cloudy skies and breezy conditions. Westerly winds of
15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph affected the Dakotas and
Minnesota. High pressure dominated over the remainder of the central
regions which provided mostly sunny skies with dry and pleasant
conditions. Temperatures primarily ranged in the 60's and 70's, while
southern Texas and Louisiana ranging in the 80's to the lower 90's. Out
west, a low pressure system and associated cold front pushed into the
Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. This system produced mostly
cloudy skies and scattered rain showers within the aforementioned
regions. High pressure dominated over the remainder of the western
regions and produced mostly sunny skies and dry conditions.
Temperatures ranged from the 50's across the higher elevations of the
Rockies, while 60's and 70's were generally found over the lower
elevations, as well as the Great Basin, Pacific Northwest, and northern
California. Temperatures in the Desert Southwest and southern
California ranged in the middle 70's to lower 90's.

***To receive this and other reports by e-mail, please submit your
e-mail adress.