After an almost two weak period in which the upper-level wind pattern could best be described as “zonal,” a more active weather pattern is getting ready to kick in. A zonal wind pattern is typified by west-to-east wind flow. This is being replaced by a high amplitude (more northwest and
Read DetailsToday through tomorrow evening, large areas of the Nation and some nearby ocean water areas are under various types of wind warnings. From hurricane-force wind warnings in New England’s offshore waters (large-scale winter storm and intense pressure gradient) to Santa Ana (canyon-channeled) winds in southern California (Fig. 1), the winds
Read DetailsWhen the computer models started to forecast incredible precipitation amounts for the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and Nevada earlier this month, I thought the numbers were somewhat exuberant. After all, California has been in the throes of an extensive and hard-hitting drought for several years. However, this storm event
Read DetailsCalifornia’s exceptional drought was in the news a lot in 2015. Recently, however, a series of storms has brought much needed rainfall and snowfall to the state. As a result, drought conditions have lessened in California and adjacent states (Fig. 1) during the past three months. During the next seven
Read DetailsFollowing a rather stormy and deadly Christmas week, and a protracted period of warmth across the eastern U.S., the weather pattern is shifting into a more tranquil mode. In fact, the 7-day quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF), issued by NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, is calling for mostly dry conditions nationwide for
Read DetailsSeveral days ago, the potential for record-breaking rainfall for southern California was advertised. The following appeared in an article entitled, “Significant rainfall coming to southern California,” “Combined, the two events could lead to a nearly 75-year May rainfall record in San Diego and other nearby places. For the period July
Read DetailsWith the focus of U.S. weather clearly on the central U.S. (severe weather, heavy rainfall and even Rocky Mountain snow), it would be easy to overlook the upcoming weather in California. However, the significance of a May rainfall event, with the potential for mountain precipitation topping two inches (Fig. 1),
Read DetailsThe dry weather pattern continues for California, Arizona and Nevada. However, significant precipitation is anticipated for parts of the Pacific Northwest, the Colorado Rockies and a large part of the southeast quadrant of the Nation (Fig. 1). Each of the areas of expected high precipitation is linked to an associated
Read DetailsAlmost two weeks ago, the story line was, “active weather in the east, but dry weather continues in the west.” The story line continues, but the intensity of the severe weather pattern across the central and eastern U.S. will be greater and California (especially the Sierra Nevada) should see some
Read DetailsAn upper level weather disturbance brought wet weather across much of the southeastern quarter of the U.S. this weekend (Fig. 1). On Saturday (Fig.2 and Fig. 3), heavy rain fell over much of Texas (with local amounts to three inches or more). On Sunday, moderate to heavy rain fell from
Read Details