Strange Weather Pattern Across the Nation

ByABC News
December 18, 2000, 5:08 AM

Dec. 18 -- After a weekend of weather that was anything but a winter wonderland, the nation braced for another round of brutally low temperatures and severe storms today.

Its almost been like a roller coaster, said meteorologist Greg Forbes, describing the combination of thunderstorms, flooding, heavy snows, and even record high temperatures in parts of the country.

Highways and roads were closed in Wyoming this morning , while in Illinois, locals prepared for up to six more inches of snow, and states from Wisconsin to Nebraska to Iowa faced another blast of winter.

Were looking at anywhere from 2-4 inches across the southern part of [Iowa] and anywhere from 3-6 inches across the north, said National Weather Service meteorologist Craig Cogil.

Utility crews across Maine scrambled today to restore power for customers as homes and businesses continued to lose electricity due to highwinds which toppled tree limbs across the state.

The Deep South, which was hit over the weekend by severe storms and unusually cold temperatures, faced the prospect of still more snow.

In northern Alabama, bone-chilling cold and icy roads forced officials to close schools.

Its unbearable, as far as what youre used to, said Michael Chesser, a sheriffs department dispatcher in Birmingham, Ala.

Tornadoes in the state killed 12 over the weekend (see related story.)

Power Problems

Ice caused scores of accidents and power outages in Georgia, where locals got a rare glimpse of snow.

About 1,500 workers in Louisiana struggled today torestore power to thousands of homes and businesses that lost power last week after an ice storm sent tree limbs crashing onto power lines.

About 13,000 AEP-Swepco electricity customers were still without power in Shreveport and in nearby northwestern Louisiana communities, said utility spokesman Scott McCloud.

And utilities in east Texas said it could be weeks before ice-damaged power lines can be restored.