> Global ***-Warming - Frigid weather keeps its grip on much of US

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/12/17/cold.weather.us/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Frigid weather keeps its grip on much of U.S.

Story Highlights:
Much of the nation continues to shiver under dangerous cold

Montana and upper Plains take the brunt of the Arctic air

People in New England brace for more snow while waiting for power

Even normally warm areas such as southern Texas feel the chill

(CNN) -- The extremely cold weather that has shocked many Americans
before the official arrival of winter kept its grip on much of the
nation early Wednesday.

CNN-affiliate KHQ reported a temperature of 0 degrees in Spokane,
Washington, and warned residents to brace for a second invasion of
Arctic air.

Snowfall was forecast for Wednesday and into Thursday.

It was only a little warmer early Wednesday morning in Great Falls,
Montana, where KFBB reported a temperature of 12 degrees.

Farther south, Butte, Montana, was coping with a reading of minus 15
degrees. Watch snow blanket Nevada »

At least five tractor-trailers and two other vehicles crashed in Des
Moines,Iowa, leaving Interstate 80 closed on Tuesday, according to
CNN-affiliate KCCI.

The Iowa State Patrol said almost all the major interstates and
highways across the state are snow-covered, with more ice and snow
expected Thursday. The temperature early Wednesday morning: 23
degrees.

KARE reported a reading of 5 degrees and light snow in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. The expected high Wednesday is only 10 degrees. On Tuesday
evening, pipes burst at a Days Inn in Plymouth, Minnesota. Flooding
and the loss of power forced more than 100 guests to evacuate, KARE
said.

New England's recent ice storm
The cold air continues to reach places not usually associated with
winter weather.

Brownsville, Texas, reported temps of 43 degrees early Wednesday,
according to KGBT. Extreme southern Texas often produces daily highs
for the nation this time of year. Watch icy roads in Dallas, Texas »

Drivers slid along icy roads Tuesday after another band of light snow
and wintry precipitation coated roadways across Oklahoma, contributing
to the fourth fatal traffic accident over the past two days, said
CNN-affiliate KOCO in Oklahoma City. Twenty-three counties were under
weather advisories early Wednesday morning.

Many roads remained icy and dangerous for traveling in central
Arkansas, according to KATV in Little Rock. State offices were to
remain closed until 10 a.m., and most of the state is under a freezing
fog advisory until 9 p.m. Wednesday, KATV said.

WMUR in New Hampshire reported about 81,000 of Public Service Co.
customers remained without power Tuesday after New England's punishing
ice storm last weekend. That's bad news for residents with another
round snow forecast by Friday and temperatures below freezing. Watch
the cleanup in Massachusetts »

As cold temperatures hung on, Southern California is bracing for
another round of rain Wednesday morning, KTLA of Los Angeles reported.
That's just one day after a winter storm bore down on the region,
threatening mudslides in recent burn areas and collapsing the roof of
an occupational school. Watch collapse of school roof »

According to the National Weather Service, heavy snow is possible in
eastern Arizona and western New Mexico.

So where was any escape from the cold and dangerous weather?

If you could put up with a little fog and drizzle, WSB in Atlanta,
Georgia, reported 63 degrees. The forecast for Thursday: An
unseasonable and enviable 72 degrees.
.

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