It’s still a pretty big storm, but it’s just the “tip of the spear” of a more active time that will happen along the West Coast and in the Midwest over the next 7–15 days.
This afternoon, low pressure is coming ashore in the Pacific Northwest and southwest Canada. It is bringing heavy rain, thunder, and strong winds to parts of Washington and Oregon. At higher levels, we have to deal with heavy snow. There may be 12 to 24 inches of snow in northern Washington places higher than 4,000 feet off the ground.
For parts along the coast, the National Weather Service has issued a Storm Watch for the Oregon coast from the California border north along the coast of Washington. Strong convection is moving toward the shore, which means wind gusts of over 55 mph and waves of 17 to 22 feet.
Rain is falling in California, which is very welcome for the center of the state. There might be thunder and stronger rain in places like Fresno, California. 4 to 8 inches of snow may fall at higher peaks across the Sierra.
Before this one goes away, another one is waiting in the wings. This one will cause heavy snow in the Rockies and a possible severe weather outbreak in the Midwest next Monday and Tuesday. Expect a lot of snow in some parts of Colorado and western Nebraska. Bad weather is coming up ahead of it.
Strong winds, storms, and big hail are possible in some parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and eastern Nebraska because of the big difference in temperatures.
National Weather Service – Storm Watch – Portland, OR
