New Pacific Storm Eyes on Western US; Heavy Rain, Mountain Snow, Coastal Flooding Expected Until Thursday

Pacific storm systems this week are once again threatening the West Coast of the United States with heavy rain and coastal impacts, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). One out of two of these systems will move into and cross the Western US from Tuesday to Thursday, January 2 to January 4. Due to the looming rainstorm, flooding is possible in coastal communities and low-lying areas.

On the other hand, a separate Pacific storm is heading towards the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and into the Bering Sea during the same period but the Alaskan storm is expected to dissipate over the southwestern part of the state on Friday, January 5. Before it disintegrates, NWS meteorologists expect the system to bring strong winds, accumulating snow, and coastal impacts in Alaska as well.

New Pacific Storm System

In its short-range forecast, the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) at 2:57 a.m. EST (local time) on Tuesday stated the new Pacific storm system will bring coastal or lower elevation rain, as well as mountain snows to California and across the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday. These weather hazards will spread into the Great Basin and Southwest US on Wednesday, January 3.

The weather service explains the Pacific system approaching the West Coast on Tuesday morning will result in the mentioned hazards, specifically in northern California and its surrounding areas, where snow accumulation could reach above 1 inch. Mountainous areas across the region are also likely to experience snowy precipitation.

Prior to the approaching system, a series of storms in the Pacific Ocean slammed California beaches with large waves and coastal flooding during the weekend before New Year's Day. The waves wreaked havoc along the beaches stretching from Los Angeles to San Francisco. These systems also generated life-threatening surf conditions in five western states, according to reports.

Elsewhere in the US, the WPC also forecasts that moderate to localized heavy rainfall with shows and thunderstorms will occur in parts of Texas and the Gulf Coast. Meanwhile, the next lake effect snow over the Great Lakes are expected in the next few days and possibly into the weekend.

Potential Disruption and Damage

The combination of the weather hazards associated with the new Pacific storm system, as observed with its predecessors in recent days, can still lead to dangerous travel conditions due to widespread flooding and reduced visibility from snow. In addition, power outages are also possible due to potentially damaging winds that can down power lines.

Last year, similar conditions were reported in the Western US when an atmospheric river-driven Pacific storm systems drenched parts of California, resulting in massive flooding. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere where they carry and transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).