Heavy rain combined with an atmospheric river is set to wet the Pacific Northwest, while a system of slides will bring snow and strong winds this weekend to much of the Midwest and Northeast.
First, let’s start in the Northeast, where more than 8 million people are currently under winter weather warnings. That number is likely to increase to the weekend.
As one system leaves New England on Saturday, another will gather strength across the Great Lakes en route to New England on Sunday.
The first system left significant snowfalls after its operation. Nearly a foot has accumulated on some of the higher peaks in Vermont and New York Friday through Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, about 4 to 6 inches have fallen east of Lake Erie by lighter amounts elsewhere.
The second system, an Alberta Clipper, will move over Minnesota on Saturday, producing a mixed rainfall over parts of the Midwest – mostly in the form of rain and hail.
Conditions then deteriorated from west to east through late Sunday as the climber entered New England.
The consensus would be to add 1 to 3 inches from Minnesota to Maine. Snowflakes could even be seen in New York City and Philadelphia on Sunday.
Even so, the Great Lakes are completely rock-free. The result is rich lake-effect snow bands that can be established with just the right amount of wind and cold air.
As a result, some areas may experience up to 8 inches of extra snow, such as the downwind areas of Lake Erie, established by these lake-effect snows.
The wind conditions that come with the trailer will once again cause poor visibility on the road, as well as some delays in the air. However, airport delays are mostly on Saturdays and Sundays, which seem to be very minor in the Northeast.
Atmospheric river wetting the Pacific Northwest
Another area that could experience travel delays this weekend will be in the Pacific Northwest.
The heaviest rain is forecast to fall across coastal regions, including Seattle, Saturday afternoon and evening before moving into the Olympics and the North Cascades on Sunday.
This weekend’s atmospheric river event is the second in a series of three storms, the first of which brings rain to the Pacific Northwest on Thanksgiving Day and the third is forecast to affect the Pacific Ocean. area on Tuesday.
Flood watches in effect for more than 3 million people across parts of Washington state, including Seattle, forecast 3 to 6 inches of rain.
The forecast for Washington state won’t be much snow as temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees higher than usual in late November with a peak in the 50s. While this milder temperature could be a turnaround, compared to the cold of winter, they can lead to other dangers at higher altitudes.
This melting snow and ice combined with heavy rains can increase runoff, increasing the risk of further flooding.
“There will also be more risk of rock slide and debris flows in steep terrain and potentially impact on upstream roads and trails, including proximal burn scars,” NWS Spokane said. .
Those planning to drive through the passes this weekend will need to plan accordingly for these hazards or wait until the weather improves on Monday afternoon.
