Weekend Travel Troubles

Two storm systems will combine this weekend to create many travel headaches on Sunday across much of the Midwest and East, causing delays in major cities from Atlanta north into Chicago, New York and Boston. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will continue across the Deep South where the new storm system is taking shape. Some light snow will fall farther north near the secondary low pressure center across portions of Nebraska and Iowa.

Sunday will bring the most travel headaches as the storm system intensifies across the Ohio Valley and Appalachians. Heavy rain will continue across the Southeast and will extend north along the eastern seaboard, affecting the major cities like Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Farther west and north around the Great Lakes region, heavy snows will be possible as colder air is drawn into the system from the north. Major airports in Chicago and Detroit will likely experience long delays as up to 6″ of new snow may accumulate. However, the heaviest snowfall of one foot or more will remain farther north into Quebec and Ontario. Between the rain and snow areas, a wintry mix of rain and snow or rain changing to snow is likely, especially across the Appalachians of West Virginia and central Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, much of the West will remain quiet and mild with a some light rain Saturday morning across Seattle metro northward. Some light snows are also possible Saturday across portions of the central and northern Rockies. Southern California will likely see strong gusty winds Sunday morning for another brief Santa Ana wind event, though any travel trouble spots are unlikely.

L.A. Times Photo Bangor Daily News Photo

The rains we have been discussing for southern California for the last few days have prompted officials to order mandatory evacuations due to fears of possible mudslides. According to James Wagoner of the L.A. Times: “The areas under mandatory evacuation are Box Canyon, Brush Canyon and San Antonio-Fairmont, where about 3,400 people live.” According to myfoxla.com, Fire Captain Greg McKeown states that no mudslides or debris flows have been reported yet, but rain levels met a threshold that prompted the evacuations. Some of the evacuated areas are very susceptible to mudslides due to the previous fires that ravaged the area as we previously reported. According to the Bangor Daily News greater than 40,000 people are without power in Maine due to the storms that pounded the region with high winds, rain, and heavy snow. Governor John Baldacci declared a state of emergency so that crews from neighboring states can move in to help speed repairs to damaged lines. Snows in the northeast and rains in the southwest will gradually die down today and tomorrow, while lake effect snows will chug for a bit more along the eastern shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Be sure to view our Advisory and Radar Centers to receive the latest updates and developments.

–patrick

Thanksgiving Day Forecast

The weather will remain active across the Southwest on Thanksgiving with the storm system currently bringing flooding rains to Southern California moving further east. Numerous showers with mountain snows across Colorado and Utah will accompany the storm system, while scattered thunderstorms can be expected ahead of the system across the Southern Plains. Meanwhile, a weakening cold front will approach the Pacific Northwest bring light rain to primarily the coastal areas of Washington and Oregon and Olympic Mountains during the afternoon. Although much of the Northeast will remain tranquil behind yesterday’s storm system, like effect snows will be likely across northern Michigan and upstate New York, with some flurries possible in nearby locations. Another cold surge will begin sliding down out of Canada and into the Northern Plains, bringing an end to the recent days of mild weather. Temperatures elsewhere will remain near seasonal normals.

HAMweather Advisory Center

Southern California will experience a mix of extremes, with the possible flooding mentioned yesterday setting up for this afternoon and tomorrow, while the southern edge of the Sierra and White Mountain ranges set to experience snow totals of two feet or more in elevations of seven thousand feet or above tonight through tomorrow including Sequoia National Park. Heavy snows will continue in the northeastern United States with the added bonus of strong winds and flooding possible through the combination of snowmelt and additional rains that will move through the area. High winds will also continue as an area of lower pressure moves through, with sustained winds of 30-40mph and gusts as high as 60mph. Appalachia will also experience lighter snows for the next few days with totals of ~ 6″ in areas of higher elevations. Be sure to view our Advisory and Radar Centers to receive the latest updates and developments.

As always stay tuned to your favorite weather outlet stay informed, and stay safe!

HAMweather Advisory Center

While much of our country will remain relatively quiet over the next few days, the northeast and southwest will experience weather from opposite ends of the spectrum. A strong mid-upper level low will approach southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday enabling the possible transport of strong low level moisture with the added assistance of a strong upper level jet. While total liquid accumulations will not be overly extreme, the possibility does exist for flash flooding, especially in areas that have experienced fires of late, and of course in areas of heavy terrain. Snows will continue in the northeastern United States as a broad area of lower pressure slowly moves through. Heaviest snowfalls will likely be in Maine as a respectable jet max moves through, aided by abundant moisture transport. Be sure to view our Advisory and Radar Centers to receive the latest updates on developments.

As always stay tuned to your favorite weather outlet, stay informed, and stay safe!