Winter storm warnings have been issued for portions of nine states as a robust atmospheric river storm, which reached California on Sunday, progresses eastward, bringing a mix of wintry precipitation to the Western region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued alerts for several states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. These alerts are in place due to the forecast of heavy snow, high winds, and the persistent risk of flooding.
Flooding remains a concern in California, even as the forecast suggests a decrease in precipitation by Thursday or Friday. The recent heavy rainfall has resulted in mudslides and left residents stranded, with some resorting to clinging onto trees for safety.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for several counties in Southern California due to the flooding. According to officials, there have been nine storm-related deaths in the state as of Thursday, as reported by the Associated Press.
Last week, the state already experienced heavy rainfall, with several inches accumulating. This was due to a “plume of moisture” from the subtropics moving eastward on Thursday and Friday. As a result, the state has seen record-breaking levels of precipitation during this prolonged storm period.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has predicted that the West will continue to experience unsettled weather, including locally heavy snowfall. In addition, wintry precipitation is expected in the Northern Plains. On Thursday, there is a chance of thunderstorms for the Upper Midwest, which are expected to spread southward on Friday.
According to the meteorological agency, Western states can expect a continued chance of precipitation due to a series of fresh waves from the storm. The Four Corners region will experience the heaviest amounts of snowfall.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the amount of rainfall has decreased, bringing some relief to California and the Desert Southwest. Despite the previous wet conditions, the chances of further flooding are now very low.
According to the NWS, there is a warning in place for the San Bernardino County and Riverside County mountains, as they could potentially experience up to 24 inches of snow above 7,000 feet.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a warning about the potential dangers of the heavy snowfall in mountain regions of southern Nevada. According to the NWS, as much as 16 inches of snow has fallen, which is likely to create extremely hazardous avalanche conditions. These conditions pose a significant risk to anyone in the vicinity of deep and unstable snowpack. It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and avoid areas with high avalanche potential.
Parts of northern and central Arizona are bracing for over 20 inches of snow. The snowfall is expected to be intense, with rates of up to two inches per hour. Additionally, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour will contribute to blowing snow and reduced visibility.
Higher elevation regions of Utah are expected to continue experiencing challenging conditions as an additional 20 inches of snowfall is anticipated. This comes after a previous forecast of four feet of snow on Wednesday.
Northern New Mexico is expected to receive an additional 10 inches of snow following the totals from Wednesday, accompanied by wind gusts of up to 40 miles an hour. Areas in western Colorado above 7,500 feet are predicted to see up to a foot of extra snow, with wind speeds potentially reaching 45 miles an hour.
The weather in southern Wyoming is expected to persist, bringing more snow to the Sierra Madre mountain range. The forecast predicts an additional 16 inches of snow accumulation, following the earlier prediction of two feet on Wednesday. In addition to the snow, strong winds of up to 50 miles per hour are also anticipated.
West-central Montana is bracing for heavy snowfall, with forecasts predicting up to five inches of snow in the region.
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