Big Chill Sweeps the U.S.

Fall just showed up all at once. A strong cold front is sweeping across the country. Ahead of it, warm, wet air from the Gulf of Mexico is getting pushed up and squeezed out as heavy rain. NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has parts of the Southern Plains, including west Texas, at a level three of four risk for flooding rain. That means flash floods could pop up quickly, especially in cities and near creeks. Farther east, forecasters see a chance of strong storms in the Ohio Valley today and the Mid-Atlantic on Friday, with lightning, gusty winds and maybe a few tornadoes. Behind the front, temperatures drop fast. Some places could fall twenty to thirty degrees, and the higher hills of the Northeast may even see wet snow Saturday morning. The simple rule for flooded roads? Turn around, don't drown. Even shallow moving water can sweep a car away. Check your local National Weather Service office for updates.