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Helping Business Weather the Storm

National Weather Summary for Thursday, December 22, 2016

by David Moran, on Dec 22, 2016 11:24:21 AM

Snow is expected for the Cascades on Thursday as a cold front moves inland over the Pacific Northwest. Across portions of the Colorado Rockies, snow is forecast as an area of low pressure moves to the south of the Four Corners region. Excessive rainfall is likely across portions of the Desert Southwest as moisture continues to stream into the region. As the cold front moving into the Pacific Northwest continues to move eastward on Friday, Moderate to heavy snow is forecast across the Sierra Nevada. This same system will bring  heavy rainfall to portions of California. By Christmas Eve, an area of low pressure will begin developing, bringing snowfall the Intermountain West through the Northern and Central Rockies. 

US Hazards Thursday, December 22, 2016US Hazards

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Region 1
As an area of low pressure moves into the Cascades, moderate to heavy snowfall will begin to spread across the region Thursday evening into Friday. As the snow continues to fall and colder air enters the region, snow levels will drop below 3000 feet by early Friday morning. The heaviest amounts will fall in the higher elevations, however, 3-6 inches of snow will fall near the valleys. Snow will decrease in intensity and slowly move out of the region by Friday afternoon. Snow accumulations of 8-12 inches with isolated higher amounts in excess of 15 inches are forecast above 2500 feet. Heavy snow and breezy winds will allow for visibilities of less than two miles at times. Snow will move into the Sierra Nevada on Friday with accumulations of 3-6 inches and locally higher amounts in excess of 8 inches possible between 1,500 and 3,000 feet. Above 3,000 feet, snow accumulations of 5-10 inches with isolated higher amounts in excess of 15 inches are forecast.

Major Cities in Region: Redding, CA

Region 1 Thursday, December 22, 2016Region 1

Region 2
A strong area of low pressure will move through the Western US this weekend, leading to snow throughout much of the Intermountain West. Widespread snowfall accumulations of 10-15 inches will be likely across portions of Utah with locally higher amounts in excess of 21 inches. Mountainous areas could see snowfall accumulations exceed two feet. Breezy southwesterly winds of 15-25 mph will lead to blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to below two miles at times. Wind chills will also drop into the single digits by Sunday morning. Hazardous travel conditions are expected across southwestern Utah beginning Friday evening and continuing through Sunday morning.

Major Cities in Region: Cedar City, UT

Region 2 Thursday, December 22, 2016Region 2

Significant Snowfall Possible for Portions of the Colorado Rockies on Thursday
A weak area of low pressure to the south of the Four Corners region will cause mountainous snowfall in the Rockies of Colorado and northern New Mexico on Thursday, primarily across the higher terrain of the region. Snowfall accumulations of 6-8 inches and isolated higher amounts in excess of 10 inches will be possible for the higher peaks. 

Major Cities in Region: Durango, CO

Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Thursday, December 22, 2016Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Thursday

Significant Snowfall Possible for the Cascades on Thursday
An area of low pressure moving into western Canada will bring its cold front inland over Pacific Northwest today, causing mainly mountain snows over the higher peaks from Washington into Northern California. Current snowfall totals of 4-6 inches are forecast with isolated higher amounts in excess of 8 inches.

Major Cities in Region: Portland, OR

Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Thursday, December 22, 2016Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Thursday

Excessive Rainfall Possible Thursday across the Desert Southwest
An area of low pressure off the coast of Southern California will continue east-northeastward through the day while weakening. With ample moisture in place across the region, moderate to heavy rainfall will continue across portions of Arizona and New Mexico. General amounts of 2-3 inches with isolated higher amounts in excess of 4 inches are forecast, resulting in the possibility of flash flooding. 

Major Cities in Region: Phoenix, AZ

Excessive Rainfall Risk Outline for Thursday, December 22, 2016Excessive Rainfall Risk Outline for Thursday

Excessive Rainfall Possible for Portions of California on Friday
The same system bringing snow to the higher elevations of California will also bring heavy rainfall to lower elevations west of the Sierra Nevada crest. Some areas will receive moderate to heavy rainfall, with flash flooding possible as 2-3 inches of new rainfall occur. Flash flooding will also be possible due to runoff from the mountain snowfall into the rivers in the region.

Major Cities in Region: San Francisco, CA, Santa Barbara, CA

Excessive Rainfall Risk Outline for Friday, December 23, 2016Excessive Rainfall Risk Outline for Friday

Significant Snowfall Possible for the Rockies and Intermountain West on Saturday
An area of low pressure is forecast to begin taking shape and strengthening across Nevada and Utah on Saturday. This system will allow mountain snowfall to develop from the Intermountain West through the Northern and Central Rockies throughout the day. While snowfall amounts are uncertain, totals reaching and exceeding 8-10 inches are possible over a wide region from southern Utah northward into western Wyoming and southern Idaho.

Major Cities in Region: Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT, Helena, MT

Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Saturday, December 24, 2016Significant Snowfall Risk Outline for Saturday

A Look Ahead
Heading into Christmas Day, thunderstorms may develop across portions of Kansas and Oklahoma ahead of a cold front. Strong wind gusts will be the main hazard with any storms that develop, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Across the Northern Plains, snow and some light icing is expected across the Northern Plains. Snow will continue into Monday with two day accumulations in excess of 8 inches forecast.

This is just a brief look at current weather hazards. We can provide you site-specific forecast information for the purpose of protecting your personnel and assets. Try a 7-day demo right away and learn how timely precision weather information can enhance your bottom line.

Topics:Nowcast/Forecast

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