Severe Weather Hits Western United States, East Coast Sees Relief from Drought
Western United States:
A major storm continued to drop heavy snow and record rain Friday as it moved through Northern California, closing roads and prompting evacuations in some areas, after killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands in the Pacific Northwest.
Pacific Northwest:
In Washington state, over 185,000 people – mostly in the Seattle area – remained without power as crews worked to clear streets of electrical lines, fallen branches, and debris. Utility officials said the outages, which began Tuesday, could last into Saturday.
California:
Moderate rain was streaming across southern Oregon and northern California on Friday morning, with showers over coastal Washington and heavier snow across eastern Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
Gale Warnings and High Wind Warnings:
Gale warnings were issued off Washington, Oregon, and California, and high wind warnings were in effect across parts of northern California and Oregon.
Preliminary Totals:
Preliminary totals showed 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow had fallen in Soda Springs, California, and Galene Blaine, Idaho, between Tuesday and Friday mornings, while 17.4 inches (44 centimeters) of rain had fallen in Venado, California.
East Coast:
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, where rare wildfires have raged, New York and New Jersey welcomed much-needed rain, which could ease the fire danger for the rest of the year.
Heavy Snow in Northeastern Pennsylvania:
Heavy snow was falling in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains, forcing a raft of school closures and delays. More than 100,000 customers in 10 counties lost power, while the state transportation department imposed speed restrictions on some highways.
Drought Relief:
Despite the mess, the precipitation was expected to help ease drought conditions in a state that has seen an exceptionally dry fall.
National Weather Service:
"It won’t end the drought, it’s not going to be a drought buster, but it’s definitely going to help when all this melts," said Bryan Greenblatt, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Binghamton, New York.
Consequences:
The National Weather Service extended a flood watch into Saturday for areas north of San Francisco as the region was inundated by this season’s strongest atmospheric river – a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows through the sky over land.
Flood Watch:
A flood watch was in effect for areas north of San Francisco, with the region expected to see significant precipitation through Saturday morning.
Conclusion:
The severe weather system has left a trail of destruction and disruption in its wake, with widespread power outages, road closures, and evacuations reported across the Western United States. Meanwhile, the East Coast has been granted a reprieve from the drought, with much-needed rain expected to ease the fire danger.
FAQs:
Q: What is the current situation in the Pacific Northwest?
A: The region is experiencing widespread power outages and road closures due to the severe weather.
Q: How much snow has fallen in Soda Springs, California, and Galene Blaine, Idaho?
A: 20 inches (51 centimeters) of snow has fallen in both locations between Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Q: What is the current situation in northeastern Pennsylvania?
A: Heavy snow is falling in the region, forcing school closures and power outages, with over 100,000 customers affected.
Q: Will the rain in the East Coast ease the fire danger?
A: Yes, the much-needed rain is expected to ease the fire danger for the rest of the year.
