Posted Tuesday, December 27, 2011 --- 8:25 a.m.

CAMP SPRINGS, Md. (AP) -- A large winter rainstorm is hitting a good chunk of the Eastern U.S. today, bringing anywhere from a half-inch to an inch of rain to many parts of the region.

The rain bands stretch from the Gulf Coast to Michigan and from Missouri to Virginia. Although most areas will get rain, inland areas from Cleveland to Buffalo and other parts of upstate New York will get some snow.

Most of the big cities along the Eastern Seaboard will see rain, but the storm will move quickly and should be off the map by early Wednesday.

Then, the action will shift to the Pacific Northwest, where a developing rainstorm will bring the first significant rain to that area in about a month.

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.