Update 1: The Nation's Weather

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/04/19/ap2682475.html

Heavy snow on Wednesday crippled the northern Plains, while severe rain storms plagued the Southeast.

As much as 20 inches of snow blanketed the area near Harding, S.D., and wind gusts of 68 mph cut visibility to near zero.

A few more inches of snow were expected in the region. Heavy rain raised the risk of flooding in Alabama and Georgia, and a tornado was reported near Hogansville, Ga.

Generally clear skies spread across much of the rest of the nation. The Northeast saw temperatures into the upper 70s, and parts of Texas reached nearly 100 degrees.

Temperatures in the Lower 48 states Wednesday ranged from a morning low of 5 degrees at Yellowstone Park, Wyo., to a midday high of 96 in Laredo, Texas.