On Wednesday morning, December 11th, this AccuWeather Enhanced RealVueâ„¢ Satellite image captures a line of storms moving toward the West Coast. These storms, akin to boxcars on a freight train, are amassing over the Pacific Ocean, poised to unleash rounds of rain in low-lying areas, mountain snow, and strong winds that could disrupt travel from Washington to Northern California. According to AccuWeather meteorologists, there is a possibility that one of these storms might intensify into a bomb cyclone.
The West Coast can expect a series of storms arriving every two to three days, possibly persisting until December 22nd, just before Christmas. “Storms are queuing up to reach the Northwest region,” stated AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson. These storms could generate a continuous stream of moisture, known as an atmospheric river, leading to significant rainfall.
The initial storm is set to hit Oregon and Northern California starting Wednesday night, marking the first significant rain in Northern California since before Thanksgiving. The heaviest rainfall is anticipated to sweep through the San Francisco Bay area and Central California by Thursday morning.
Storm number two is anticipated to impact Washington and British Columbia later in the week. This storm has the potential to intensify rapidly, possibly evolving into a bomb cyclone. Rainfall is expected to spread across Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, possibly leading to flooding concerns.
Furthermore, snowfall is forecasted for the mountainous regions, with snow levels rising and falling due to the different storm systems. Interstate travel could be affected by accumulating snow in various areas.
Looking ahead, storm number three is predicted to arrive in the coastal Northwest by Sunday, extending into Monday around San Francisco. Additional storms are likely to come thereafter, albeit with limited impact on Southern California.
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In November, Northern California experienced rainfall and mountain snowfall that was near to above the historical average, while much of Southern California saw sparse rainfall well below historical norms. The region has been grappling with abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions, a trend that has been slowly intensifying in recent weeks across California and the Southwest.
There is hope on the horizon, however, as there is a possibility that a strong system may track further south, bringing much-needed rain and snow to Southern California before Christmas. This potential shift in weather patterns could offer some relief to the region.
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Stay tuned for further updates on weather conditions in California and beyond as we continue to monitor developments and provide vital information to keep you and your loved ones safe.