Blog Article

Weather Update: Arctic Reload, PNW Rain, & Weekend Storm Threat

A second Arctic surge targets the US while an atmospheric river hits the PNW. Plus, tracking a potential weekend winter storm for the East Coast.

The Cold Reloads, A West Coast Soaker, & That Weekend Wildcard

The Cold Reloads, A West Coast Soaker, & That Weekend Wildcard

Alright folks, grab your coffee and let's have a chat. I know a lot of y'all are tired of shivering. We've been dealing with this historic Arctic outbreak for days now. But I have to be honest with you. The data is showing us that winter isn't done with us yet.

Here is the thing. We are seeing what I call a "reload" in the atmosphere. Just as temperatures try to moderate, another surge of bitter air is coming down the pipeline. Plus, the West Coast is getting hammered with moisture, and we have a big question mark for the East Coast this weekend.

The Arctic "Double Dip"

If you are in the Central or Eastern U.S., do not put the heavy coats away. The models are showing a secondary surge of Arctic air diving south late Thursday into Friday. This is going to reinforce the deep freeze we are already in.

For my friends in Texas and the Tennessee Valley, this is critical. You might see a brief warmup or some melting today, but everything is going to lock back up tight Thursday night. That means "black ice" is going to be a major problem again. If you are driving around Dallas or Nashville, please take it slow. Bridges and overpasses will be like skating rinks.

And get this. The cold is pushing all the way down to Florida. We are seeing Freeze Warnings for the Nature Coast and Cold Weather Advisories further south. If you are heading out to the Shipwrecked Music Festival in Tampa this weekend, you are going to need layers. It is not going to be beach weather.

The West Coast Firehose

While the East freezes, the Pacific Northwest is getting the firehose treatment. An atmospheric river is slamming into Washington and Oregon right now.

Here is the concern. The snow levels are rising fast—up to 5,000 or 6,000 feet. That means rain is falling on top of the snowpack in the mountains. When you combine heavy rain with melting snow, you get rapid river rises. The Skokomish River is one spot we are watching closely for flooding, but this affects the whole Olympic Peninsula.

If you have travel plans through the passes or live near those mountain rivers, keep your head on a swivel. This is a messy, wet system.

Lake Effect: The Pivot

The Great Lakes snow machine is still cranking. Upstate New York, specifically the Tug Hill Plateau and near Oswego, has been getting crushed with snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. But the wind direction is about to change.

As that secondary cold front comes through late Thursday, winds will shift more to the north. This is going to shove those heavy snow bands into new areas. We are looking at the southern shores of Lake Michigan potentially getting in on the action. Yes, that means Chicago and northwest Indiana could see some sudden, intense snow squalls late week.

The Weekend Wildcard

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room. Everyone is asking about the weekend storm for the East Coast.

The Weather Prediction Center is calling this a "Significant East Coastal Winter Storm Threat," but the computer models are having a fight about where it goes. One camp says it stays offshore and just grazes the coast. The other camp brings it closer, which would mean heavy snow for the Carolinas up through New England and nasty winds along I-95.

It is still too early to lock this in. But the ingredients are there for a big system. If you have plans on Saturday or Sunday along the East Coast, just keep checking back. We should know a lot more in the next 24 hours.

Bottom Line

  • The Freeze Continues: A second blast of cold air arrives Thursday night. Watch for refreezing roads in the South and Midwest.
  • Florida Cold: Protect plants and pets. It's freezing in the panhandle and chilly in Tampa.
  • PNW Flooding: Heavy rain and snowmelt will cause river issues in Washington and Oregon.
  • Weekend Watch: We are monitoring a potential coastal storm for the East Coast. Stay tuned.

Stay safe out there, y'all.

https://ryanhallyall.com/blog/the-cold-reloads-a-west-coast-soaker-that-weekend-wildcard