Weather in the West will remain unsettled on Thursday as a cold storm system moves into the region and a strong cold front pushes through the Intermountain West. A mix of showers, periods of moderate to heavy rain, wet high-elevation snow, and gusty winds will accompany the cold front through the Great Basin. Heavy snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are expected in much of the higher elevations of the Great Basin, mainly above 7,000 feet. Some of the higher peaks of the northwest facing slopes may receive up to 2 feet of snow. Heavy snowfall and strong winds will make travel in these mountain ranges will be very difficult as this storm moves over the area. Behind this system, lighter and less organized showers are expected to continue in parts the Pacific Northwest and California, while snow showers remain possible in the Sierra Nevadas.

In the East, warm weather with fair skies and dry conditions will persist throughout much of the region due to lingering high pressure. Temperatures will warm to near to above normal values during the afternoon, especially in parts of the Plains and the Mississippi Valleys. Cool air from the north will keep highs in the Northeast a bit cooler than average . To the south of this high pressure system, winds from the east/northeast will create chances of showers and thunderstorms in the Florida Peninsula. Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday have ranged from a morning low of 24 degrees at Mt. Washington, N.H. to a high of 93 degrees at Fairfield, Ill.