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Winter weather warnings are in place for nine western U.S. states after a "prolific series" of atmospheric river storms pummeled the Pacific coast, with more winter weather predicted to arrive later on Thursday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings concerning snow and strong winds for parts of Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington state and Wyoming, warning of reduced visibility and snow accumulations at higher elevations.
In its latest forecast, the weather agency said "locally moderate rainfall" and snow would remain across the Pacific Northwest through Thursday, but that "fortunately, no excessive rainfall is anticipated with today's activity."
As the cold front shifts east, it expects "moderately impactful winter weather" in the northern Plains later on Thursday and into Friday, with snow levels to decline over the West Coast, apart from areas of "locally heavy mountain snowfall." Warnings for parts of California are set to expire on Thursday morning.
Atmospheric rivers are narrow channels in the atmosphere that are able to carry a large amount of moisture with them. A strong river is able to carry as much as 15 times the amount of water flowing through the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
On Friday, the NWS had warned that a "strong" atmospheric river was anticipated to "wallop" the region from Sunday.
Snow accumulations in Washington state are anticipated to reach up to 13 inches, with a 30 percent chance of snowfall reaching a rate of an inch an hour around Stevens Pass, making travel difficult.
In Idaho, elevations above 3,000 around Dobson Pass could see up to a foot of snow, with nearly a foot in higher areas of the Eastern Mountains and up to five inches in adjoining valleys. The state's central mountain range is expected to see a foot of snow above 7,000, and as much as nine inches in the Blackfoot Mountains.
Montana's East Glacier Park region is predicted to experience up to 16 inches of snow in mountain areas and up to 14 inches from Essex to Marias Pass, with up to a foot elsewhere. As much as 14 inches of snow accumulation is expected at higher elevations of western Siskiyou County in Oregon, with up to a foot elsewhere.
Snow levels are set to reach 18 inches in the Salt River Range of Wyoming and up to a foot in the Wind River Mountains, while up to 10 inches are expected to fall in parts of Colorado.
Snow accumulation between three and seven inches is anticipated in Elko County, the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt range of Nevada, with locally higher amounts near mountain peaks. The NWS warned that wind gusts of up to 35 miles an hour could bring down tree branches.
Winter weather warnings remain in place for several regions of Alaska. While snow is predicted to only reach a few inches, high winds will likely reduce visibility in places to half a mile or less at times.
The West Coast has faced a similar weather front earlier this year: In January, California was battered by a series of deadly storms that brought severe flooding. Thousands of homes were left without power and many people were evacuated.
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About the writer
Aleks Phillips is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. ... Read more
