A few weather features will affect the Lower 48 today. The first is the big storm in the E that has loosened up and pulled into Canada. It’s the one that dumped between 3-6” of rain in the Mid south, Mid Atlantic, MW and NE yesterday and last night. It also shot 3-8” of snow as far south as AR/TN. As this low pressure center moves N, the wind and cold air will be drawn around the West and South side of the circulation dropping temps by 10-20 degrees for folks in the East. I’ll show you the forecast. The wind may cause a few short delays at the NYC metro airports, but that’s about it.

The central part of the US looks quiet once again, but this won’t last long. There is a strong cold front draped over the northern Rockies this morning, and this will stir up the snow in MT, ID, WY and stretch down to UT/CO by tonight. Winter storm warnings and watches are up for those states. I’ll show you the latest thinking on snow totals. The wind will crank tonight and tomorrow for Southern CA and NV behind this front. Gusts to near 70 mph will be common for the Mountains.

This is my last day for a while, and no I’m not being disciplined. I jet to Las Vegas to run the Rock n Roll Half Marathon for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. I also get to emcee the event for them the night before, something I fell honored about. It’s fun as heck too. I get to meet tons of people that are running to raise money for the Foundation and hang out with them all weekend. Unfortunately I have to run the 13.1 miles on Sunday night, essentially putting my money where my mouth is, but it’ll be fun. It’s a night race down the Las Vegas Strip. It’ll be cold an probably breezy, but the glitz will be awesome. I’ll tweet my results and send a few pix along the way.

See ya later.

*Follow HLN Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Crohn's and colitis

Man, cruddy sleep last night. All makeup hands on deck to fix this sheet-marked face. Ha!
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New from overnight:

Police encircled the Occupy camp in LA outside city hall, and tensions mounted as they got ready to boot the protestors.
See the outcome there and in Philly, where similar Occupy evictions are underway.
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How do YOU think the cities are handling the Occupy protestors?
Tweet me @robinmeade or go to HLNtv.com/robin to link to our Facebook or e-mail.
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Michael Jackson’s doctor has gotten the maximum sentence of 4 years after the judge seemed to throw the book at him.
But will Conrad Murray really serve his full sentence?
More on how SHORT his stay could be.

Side note: Did you SEE the judge give his tongue lashing to Murray? He left little doubt what he thought about the doc. If you missed it, we’ll show ya here.

Along those lines: What's your opinion of the sentence?
Tweet me @robinmeade or go to HLNtv.com/Robin to link to our Facebook or e-mail.
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Herman Cain is reassessing his presidential run.
It could apparently hinge on whether the latest accusations (of a 13-year affair with an Atlanta woman) put a dent in his campaign contributions.
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Shopping can be contagious… once you start.
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A family gets lost searching for a Christmas tree (mind you, they weren’t at a lot – they were in a forest). Oh it must be a goodie of a 911 call.
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Check out some of the neatest gadget gifts under $100. Got ‘em!

Filed under: Uncategorized

TN snow is falling faster than the crime rate in Seattle (thanks to Phoenix Jones. THE Phoenix Jones). I’ve seen reports from Denmark, TN of 5"+ and some scattered 3-4" reports around MS/TN. That storm is slowly rolling to the NE and dragging some cold air/rain/flurries with it to AL and GA. There are advisories in the NC mountains too, and I’ll have the fully updated warnings for you on the show. It’s all warm air ahead of this storm with temps in the mid 60s into New England. Heavy rain is slicing through the Carolinas and into VA/WV, and it’s on the way up to MD/DE/PA/NJ/NY. I’ll show you the radar on the program. The rain wraps back around through the OH Valley and turns into snow once you get to Central MI/IN. I’m looking for about 3-5" of snow in those spots.

The wind has already upset air travelers in Chicago with gusts to near 50 mph.

The heavy rain has caused flood warnings to be posted in the MW this morning, and I’m thinking about 2-3" of rain will fall from KY to IN and into Detroit. Another storm is rolling into the NW and will through snow into ID/MT tomorrow.

Good fog has set up in interior CA, but the rain should be offshore for most of the day.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Snow • Weather

I sat on my arse all afternoon cyber-shopping, yet made a purchase from just one site: a cookie co. with half-off deals. Other than that, I was not induced to buy. How about you?
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On the show today:
Here we go again.
Another woman is making claims against Herman Cain.
But she's not alleging harassment.
She's saying she and the presidential candidate knew each other (in the biblical sense I guess you can say) for more than a decade!
He denies it.
(It seemed like a sudden race to get the allegations out: He got word she’d be on the local news, so he jumped ahead of her with the accusations on CNN.)
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Michael Jackson’s doctor will be sentenced today in the death of the pop singer.
He faces up to 4 years in prison. Our wall-to-wall coverage starts at 1130a Eastern on HLN.
Full coverage online at HLNtv.com/MichaelJackson
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YOU HAVE TO TUNE IN TO SEE THIS!!
2 elderly former pro football players go at each other! Cane and all!
It must be some kinda grudge, 50 years later!
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Hey what's your weather like?
Because many viewers whose cities don't have many salt trucks... are getting hit this morning.
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What used to be our ideal weight, and what we hold as perfect now... have changed!
(Cue the theme song: "Well we’re movin’ on up! Movin’ on up.")
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You’re less likely to have a fake Gucci in your holiday stash of presents now that the feds have moved in!
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See you soon.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Is 'Cyber Monday' real? Robin says yes... there are great deals to be had. But Jen says 'Cyber Monday' numbers aren't 'all that' and that there are better deals to be had as we get closer to Christmas.

Filed under: Extras • Jennifer Westhoven • Morning Express crew • Robin Meade

Back from NYC and the weather is going strong. My next trip is Friday to Las Vegas to emcee the Crohn’s and colitis Foundation’s pasta dinner party before the half Marathon on Sunday. I had to run 12 miles yesterday for training, and I feel like I stayed out all night w/ Charlie Sheen because of it. My ankle could use some WD-40 right now.

A nice shot of rain is marching from the South to the Midwest this morning propelled by a sharp cold front over the MS Valley. The rain has been very heavy so far from Alabama to Georgia and through Tennessee/Kentucky/Ohio, and will edge to the Carolinas today. I’m looking at around 3-4” rain for the southern Appalachians due to the oragraphic uplift (Wind forced up a mountain produces more rain), and snow will start to fall later this evening in the Memphis area. Winter weather advisories are posted for East Arkansas, West and Middle Tennessee, Parts of Central Alabama, and there is a watch for Mississippi. I’m betting on around 1-2” of snow overnight and tomorrow on the grassy areas, and I’ll show you the maps on the show.

The rain is spreading into the Northeast too, but the heavy stuff won’t reach the East until tomorrow.

Cold temps are being recorded in TX now with Freeze warnings in Austin, San Antonio and the Houston area.

A good stretch of clouds extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Rockies, but the only rain is around North California. I’ll have the details.

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Weather

*Note: Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider is filling in for Bob Van Dillen today on "Morning Express with Robin Meade"

Hope you had a relaxing and restful Thanksgiving! Today you may be on the go – headed home after the holiday, or maybe to the stores for Black Friday. While the roads may be packed now with travelers and shoppers, today will not be the busiest one of the weekend. Traditionally, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after will be the most jammed on the roads and in the air. In fact this year, look for even more people out and about than last year:

“Thanksgiving travel in the U.S. is projected to increase 4 percent this year from 2010, with more than 42.5 million Americans taking a trip of 50 miles or more away from home between Wednesday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 27. Auto travel remains the preferred method of travel this Thanksgiving with 38.2 million Americans traveling via automobile, also up 4 percent from last year. Auto travelers make up 90 percent of all holiday travelers”
-AAA

Since triple A says most people will make their journey by car, it’s important to make sure you have an emergency kit ready in your vehicle. What should the kit contain? Here is a checklist from Ready.gov:

• Jumper cables
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• First aid kit and necessary medications in case you are away from home for a prolonged time
• Food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars; canned fruit and a portable can opener
• Water for each person and pet in your car
• AM/FM & NOAA radio to listen to weather and traffic reports and emergency messages
• Cat litter or sand for better tire traction
• Shovel
• Ice scraper
• Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Enjoy the holiday weekend & have a safe trip!

Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider
@BonnieWeather
BonnieWeather.com

Bonnie’s book EXTREME WEATHER (Palgrave Macmillan) will be in stores everywhere on 1/31/12!

Posted by: Meteorologist Bonnie Schneider
Filed under: Weather

In order to bring you some special Black Friday programming from HLN's Clark Howard and Jennifer Westhoven, we've moved some of your regularly scheduled Friday programming around... JUST FOR Today. Here's a look at what's on HLN and when (no matter what your on-screen guide says) for Black Friday, Nov. 25 (all times Eastern):

6 AM
Clark Howard

7 AM-12 PM
Morning Express

12 PM
Clark Howard

1 PM
Shopping Secrets Revealed
HLN Money Expert Clark Howard, one of the most prominent voices in the business, and Money Anchor, Jennifer Westhoven help viewers get the most bang for their buck during the holiday shopping season.

2 PM
Clark Howard

3 PM
Shopping Secrets Revealed

4 PM
Salute to Troops: Stories of Courage

5 PM
Special Report
The search for Baby Lisa.

6 PM
Prime News
Where is missing District Attorney Ray Gricar? Also Vinnie Politan speaks to a student panel at Penn State. PLUS the possible connection between 5 missing Tennessee women.

7 PM
Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell
Penn State Scandal Coverage

8 PM
Nancy Grace
Missing Mom of 4, Karen Swift and the latest in the Jhessye Shockley Case.

9 PM
Dr Drew: Extreme Behaviors
Dr. Drew will feature compelling stories of people who are battling obsessive behaviors including an animal hoarder, a dangerous extreme sports fanatic and feature an exclusive with the 2012 Guinness Book's World's Heaviest Woman.

10 PM
Joy Behar
The hilarious Jane Lynch sits down to talk about why she was relieved to lose at the Emmys, how she wanted to be a boy when she was younger, and her unique battle with alcohol. Plus, iconic actor William Shatner.

11 PM
Showbiz Tonight
Showbiz Reality Secrets! Real or Fake?! & Show Me the Money!

Filed under: Extras • HLN • Jennifer Westhoven

What time are my HLN shows on? No matter what your on-screen guide says... here is what time you can catch all the special Thanksgiving programming on HLN today (all times Eastern):

6 AM
Clark Howard

7 AM -12 PM
Morning Express with Robin Meade
Bob Van Dillen LIVE from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

12 PM
Salute to Troops: Stories of Courage
As the U.S. looks to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, HLN pays special tribute to those who served by reporting their stories of strength and sacrifice.

1 PM
Dr. Drew Special Edition: Doing Good
In this special holiday edition of Dr. Drew, we talk to guests whose happiness and gratitude were challenged by seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

2 PM
Clark Howard

3 PM
Dr. Drew Special Edition: Doing Good

4 PM
Salute to Troops: Stories of Courage

5 PM
Dr. Drew: Doing Good

6 PM
Prime News
A mix of heroic, fun and heartwarming stories: A neighbor who prevented a child kidnapping, Richard Heene and an Army Col. Who surprised his wife at home

7 PM
Issues with Jane Velez Mitchell
Interview with Jeff Ashton

8 PM
Nancy Grace
Missing Baby Boy Sky Metalwala

9 PM
Dr. Drew Special Coverage: BULLYING
Dr. Drew will provide special coverage on the rise of bullying in the nation's schools by talking to students, administrators and celebrities and trying to find solutions.

10 PM
Joy Behar
Matriarch of the Kardashian clan, Kris Jenner sits down with Joy to talk about a variety of subjects. Also, the Legendary Bette Midler brings some of her most memorable costumes to our set!

11 PM
Showbiz Tonight
Showbiz Reality Secrets! Fight Club & Play to Win.

Filed under: Extras • HLN

Happy Thanksgiving!
I am grateful for you this holiday, and so much more!
If you're up, you're probably the chef of the house. So tune in, we will get ya informed as you dress the bird.
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It’s a very happy Thanksgiving for families of military personnel who came home yesterday. We’ll show you the homecomings.
That's a good way to start the holiday weekend!
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***What are you thankful for this year? Share with us. Tweet me @robinmeade or link to our Facebook or e-mail morningexpress@HLNtv.com.
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Another holiday tradition – the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Bob’s out there to show us the sights firsthand. It's not his first time though... take a look at his parade memories on HLNtv.com.
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It’s a first in football… 2 coaching brothers go head to head in a big NFL game today.
Who is the rest of the Harbaugh family cheering for?
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If you’re buying gifts this weekend… there’s one thing both of our money experts agree you should get. Ooo la la.
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Officials hope to find survivors after a small plane crashed near Phoenix last night.
The pictures of the flames were something else.
More on what we are learning.
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We are starting at 7am Eastern today. See u then.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras