Stormy weather to return to West Coast to end 2020
By
Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Updated Dec 27, 2020 1:59 AM EDT
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey captured this video on Dec. 23 showing two fissures erupting lava into the Halemaʻumaʻu crater's ever-growing lava lake.
After a brief reprieve from rain and snow along the West Coast, stormy weather is set to return for the final week of 2020.
The first of two storms reached the west coasts of Washington, Oregon and northwestern California on Friday, and precipitation steadily continued to push inland through Friday night.
The storm delivered periods of heavy rain and windy conditions to the coast, but rain mixed with snow farther inland.
Snow levels fell throughout the storm, starting around 3500 feet in the Washington Cascades, but falling to as low as 2500 feet Friday night, leading to some travel issues through some mountain passes.
All snow will continue to fall in the higher elevations. Snow will fall into Saturday night in the Cascades, and into early Sunday for the northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana.
Farther south, rain and snow will wind down in Northern California by Saturday night.
Any precipitation in California, Oregon and Nevada is likely to be welcome by most, even what fell on Christmas Day and Christmas night. Portions of each state are still in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's update this past week.
Another storm will follow shortly behind the first.
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Wet weather is expected to hit the western shores of California as early as Sunday evening, and push inland through Monday morning.
"A second storm looks to dive farther south, missing the Pacific Northwest and hitting more of Central and Southern California," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
A storm taking this track usually is unable to tap into subtropical moisture, limiting the amount of rain the storm is able to produce.
"While this storm will allow for beneficial rain across parts of the region, it is unlikely to be enough rain to put a dent in ongoing drought," said Houk.
Rain could make for slick roadways for those traveling Sunday night and Monday, causing travel delays. Houk also added that it is not out of the question for some thunder to occur with this storm.
Farther north, another round of snow is expected for the Sierra Nevada, which will be welcome for any open ski resorts.
Snow is forecast to expand through Nevada and into Utah and northern Arizona through Monday afternoon as well.
By Tuesday the storm is expected to continue eastward in the Plains and become the next major winter storm, and perhaps even the next blizzard for parts of the region.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Winter Weather
Stormy weather to return to West Coast to end 2020
By Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Updated Dec 27, 2020 1:59 AM EDT
Scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey captured this video on Dec. 23 showing two fissures erupting lava into the Halemaʻumaʻu crater's ever-growing lava lake.
After a brief reprieve from rain and snow along the West Coast, stormy weather is set to return for the final week of 2020.
The first of two storms reached the west coasts of Washington, Oregon and northwestern California on Friday, and precipitation steadily continued to push inland through Friday night.
The storm delivered periods of heavy rain and windy conditions to the coast, but rain mixed with snow farther inland.
Snow levels fell throughout the storm, starting around 3500 feet in the Washington Cascades, but falling to as low as 2500 feet Friday night, leading to some travel issues through some mountain passes.
All snow will continue to fall in the higher elevations. Snow will fall into Saturday night in the Cascades, and into early Sunday for the northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana.
Farther south, rain and snow will wind down in Northern California by Saturday night.
Any precipitation in California, Oregon and Nevada is likely to be welcome by most, even what fell on Christmas Day and Christmas night. Portions of each state are still in extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor's update this past week.
Another storm will follow shortly behind the first.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
Wet weather is expected to hit the western shores of California as early as Sunday evening, and push inland through Monday morning.
"A second storm looks to dive farther south, missing the Pacific Northwest and hitting more of Central and Southern California," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk.
A storm taking this track usually is unable to tap into subtropical moisture, limiting the amount of rain the storm is able to produce.
"While this storm will allow for beneficial rain across parts of the region, it is unlikely to be enough rain to put a dent in ongoing drought," said Houk.
Rain could make for slick roadways for those traveling Sunday night and Monday, causing travel delays. Houk also added that it is not out of the question for some thunder to occur with this storm.
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Farther north, another round of snow is expected for the Sierra Nevada, which will be welcome for any open ski resorts.
Snow is forecast to expand through Nevada and into Utah and northern Arizona through Monday afternoon as well.
By Tuesday the storm is expected to continue eastward in the Plains and become the next major winter storm, and perhaps even the next blizzard for parts of the region.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo