Following the recent storm that hit the southwest United States earlier this week, most areas are expected to experience a respite this weekend. However, AccuWeather meteorologists predict the arrival of more storms in the region, particularly impacting California. The storm initially brought heavy rain to coastal areas of Southern California and snow to the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges. It will now pivot across the interior Southwest on Friday, resulting in substantial snow accumulation in the Arizona mountains and a few inches of snow over the ridge and passes in Southern California.
The storms that occurred on Friday have been beneficial in terms of moistening the soil, contributing snow to the mountains, and alleviating the drought situation. This weekend is expected to bring relatively calm weather conditions along most of the Pacific coast, though there is still a risk of landslides in areas recently hit by heavy rain where the hillsides may have become unstable.
Multiple storms are brewing over the Pacific, with a smaller storm set to reach Central and Southern California on Monday before moving inland over the deserts on Tuesday. According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr, this storm could bring significant rainfall to coastal areas but lighter amounts inland, accompanied by snow in higher terrain across the Southwest.
A larger storm is expected to follow quickly next week, spreading rain into the Northwest and advancing into Northern California before reaching Southern California and parts of the Great Basin. Zehr warns of potential heavy rain and snow in Washington and Oregon, with California facing the risk of excessive rain and heavy snow.
Motorists should anticipate delays due to potential flooding on highways and road closures over mountain passes. Airline delays at major hubs along the Pacific coast are also probable. Despite recent moisture, the zone of abnormally dry to exceptional drought persists in the Southwest, including Southern California. Additional storms bringing generous rainfall and mountain snow are necessary before the dry season begins in a few months.
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