An area of low pressure will bring a potential for excessive rainfall to portions of the California coast on Wednesday. Snow will continue across the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies through Friday as a series of troughs move into the region. Further south, several areas of low pressure will produce heavy snow across the Sierra Nevadas through Friday. Heavy snow is expected across Maine as a trough moves eastward. Elevated winds and seas will continue across the Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday evening as a cold front moves across the region.
US Hazards
Excessive Rainfall for the Northern and Central California Coast on Wednesday
Widespread shower activity already stretches across the northern half of California. This activity is expected to continue into early Thursday morning as an area of low pressure moves into the region. Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts in excess of 4 inches are expected, leading to a potential for flash flooding and local runoff.
Major Cities in Region: Eureka, CA, San Francisco, CA, Sacramento, CA
Rainfall Accumulation for Wednesday
Potential for Excessive Rainfall Wednesday along the Southern California Coast
Shower activity is currently moving into the region. Rainfall amounts of 1-2 inches are forecast, leading to the potential for flooding and local runoff.
Major Cities in Region: Santa Barbara, CA, Los Angeles, CA
Rainfall Accumulation for Wednesday
Continued Snow for the Pacific Northwest through Friday
Moderate to heavy snow will continue across the Northwest. From the Cascades into the Northern Rockies, snow accumulations will range 12-24 inches in the higher elevations. In the lower elevations, 3-6 inches with locally higher amounts in excess of 8 inches are forecast. An active pattern will continue for the next several days with snow likely continuing into the weekend.
Major Cities in Region: Bend, OR, Spokane, WA, Missoula, MT, Idaho Falls, ID, Jackson, WY
Snow Accumulation through Friday
Snow through Friday for the Sierra Nevadas
A series of upper level lows are expected to track through the region over the next few days, which will allow the heavy snow potential to continue through the end of the week. Plentiful Pacific moisture will accompany these areas of low pressure, leading to significant snowfall across the Sierra Nevadas. Snowfall accumulation of 2-3 feet is expected in the higher elevations. In addition, strong winds will likely promote blowing snow and reduced visibilities, as well as dangerous wind chills. Snowfall should come to an end late Friday.
Major Cities in Region: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Snow Accumulation through Friday
Heavy Snow across Maine on Wednesday
One final round of heavy snow is expected across portions of Maine before an area of low pressure moves out of the region. Snowfall totals of 8-12 inches with locally higher amounts in excess of 15 inches are expected.
Major Cities in Region: Caribou, ME
Snowfall Accumulation for Wednesday
Elevated Winds and Seas through Wednesday Evening across the Gulf of Mexico
Elevated winds and seas will continue across the Gulf of Mexico through Wednesday evening as a cold front moves eastward. Winds will be north-northwesterly at 20-30 knots with gusts in excess of 40 knots. Seas will range 3-6 feet near the shore and 6-9 feet in the deeper waters. Thunderstorms may develop along the cold front.
Wind and Wave Heights 6pm CST Wednesday
Excessive Rainfall for Southern California on Thursday
By Thursday, another upper level low will move into California, this time, much further south and accompanied by plentiful Pacific moisture. Numerous showers are forecast with heavy rainfall likely throughout the day. Due to the saturated ground, there will be a risk for excessive rainfall. Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches with locally higher amounts in excess of 4 inches are expected. Runoff may be a concern from Los Angeles to San Diego. Further inland, flooding could occur within the higher terrain.
Major Cities in Region: Los Angeles, CA, San Diego, CA
Rainfall Accumulation for Thursday
Snow Friday across the Central Plains
High pressure building into the Northern Plains will bring another cold air mass southward into the Central Plains on Thursday. Following the arrival of this cold air, an area of low pressure is forecast to track from the Southern High Plains into the Ozarks on Friday. Increased moisture will support moderate to heavy snowfall from Kansas and Nebraska eastward into Missouri and southern Illinois. Along the southern edge of the precipitation, temperatures will support potential ice accumulations as well. Snowfall amounts will range 4-8 inches. Ice accumulations between 0.10-0.20 inch are forecast from the Kansas/Oklahoma border eastward into the Ohio Valley.
Major Cities in Region: Grand Island, NE, Topeka, KS, Omaha, NE, Kansas City, MO, Columbia, MO, St. Louis, MO
Snow Accumulation for Friday
A Look Ahead
A wintry mix will move into the Mid Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley on Saturday as a cold front moves southeastward. Light snow may extend from the Northern Plains into the Great Lakes on Sunday. An area of low pressure may produce some light snow Monday across the Central High Plains. Snow is forecast from the Southern Plains into the Ohio Valley on Tuesday. Showers and thunderstorms may develop over portions of the Southeast.