Heavy rain and powerful winds slam California; storm dissipates in the East
SAN FRANCISCO — A Pacific storm unleashed heavy rain and snow in California and other parts of the West on Thursday as residents across the central and eastern U.S. got a reprieve from a massive, deadly storm that pummeled large swaths of the country this week.
Coastal areas south of San Francisco to San Diego could get an inch or so of rain through Thursday, and up to 4 inches is forecast for the slopes of the Coast Ranges, according to AccuWeather, which warned of urban flooding and possible mudslides.
Scattered convective showers started to develop Thursday evening over the central and southern coasts of California, the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said. The weather service warned that heavier showers can produce brief, heavy downpours and small hail.
"Things are winding down as light rain is moving out of Los Angeles and with some lingering precipitation in the mountains into tonight," the weather service said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned on X that the winter storm could cause debris flow in parts of Los Angeles County charred by wildfires. "We're actively coordinating with local responders to ensure this region has the resources it needs," he said.
Sierra Madre, a city 15 miles northeast of Los Angeles, issued an evacuation warning through Friday morning. The city of 10,000 people was damaged in the January fires and then battered by mudflows in the ensuing rains.
The winter storm will push inland, reaching the Rockies by Thursday evening and dumping 1 to 2 feet of snow in the high country of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, according to the National Weather Service.
"Travel will likely become difficult with heavy snow and low visibility," the weather service office in Cheyenne, Wyoming, warned.
Developments:
∎ The storm will then drive a band of snow for almost 2,000 miles from the Rockies to the Appalachians late this week. Through Friday, the wintry weather will stretch into the Plains and Midwest, bringing up to a foot of snow to South Dakota and Nebraska and several inches to Illinois.
∎ More storms will follow next week, with one system due to reach central and Southern California from late Monday to Tuesday, AccuWeather said. A stronger storm is forecast to quickly follow along much of the West Coast by the middle of the week.
Parts of Southern California see wind gusts up to 59 mph
By Thursday afternoon, the weather service reported high winds across Southern California. The community of Sandberg in the San Gabriel Mountains and Montecito Hills in the Santa Ynez Mountain both gusted to 59 mph, according to the weather service.
Other areas recorded wind speeds between 35 and 51 mph:
- The Catalina RAWS site in Catalina Island: 51 mph
- Deer Creek Canyon in the Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area: 47 mph
- Oso Canyon in the Western Antelope Valley Foothills: 42 mph
- Los Angeles International Airport: 40 mph
- Ventura in Ventura County: 39 mph
Weather, avalanche concerns delay recovery of 3 skiers in Alaska
Alaska State Troopers were "optimistic" weather conditions would improve sufficiently Thursday to allow avalanche experts and recovery personnel to conduct helicopter flights into an area where three heliskiers were overwhelmed in an avalanche Tuesday. They are presumed dead.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety issued a statement saying authorities hoped to assess the slide area − near Girdwood, about 40 miles southeast of Anchorage − for recovery options. A preliminary investigation determined three adults were caught in an avalanche around 3:30 pm and that guides from a commercial heliskiing operation immediately attempted to locate them using avalanche beacons.
The guides, who determined the skiers were buried 40 feet to 100 feet deep, were unable to recover them. Poor weather and "considerable avalanche risk" stymied recovery efforts Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Alaska Department of Public Safety identified the three victims as David Linder, 39, of Florida; Charles Eppard 39, of Montana; and Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota. The department said troopers and avalanche and recovery experts planned to continue aerial assessment efforts for slide area to "determine additional avalanche danger and recovery options."
Winter storm warnings active throughout the West
The National Weather Service issued winter weather advisories across the California mountains and 10 states in the West, warning residents to stay cautious amid high winds and treacherous road conditions.
"Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult," said the weather service office in Hanford, California.
Snow falling on California's Grapevine section of Interstate 5 on Thursday slowed traffic through the mountainous corridor, authorities said.
Around 3 p.m. local time, California Highway Patrol's Fort Tejon office reported heavy snow at times and limited visibility from Fort Tejon to south of Gorman, near the top of Tejon Pass. Later reports indicated light to moderate snow was falling along parts of the route.
"There are several crashes on north and southbound I-5 due to vehicles losing control," the agency said on social media. The CHP planned to escort traffic through the area.
By 8 p.m., the CHP said units were still conducting escorts and traffic pacing in the area due to heavy snowfall sticking to the roadway. The agency advised motorists to follow behind patrol units and traffic at a safe distance.
"Do not try to work through traffic, as this could lead to a crash and further delays," the CHP warned.
Springlike weather ahead for central and eastern US
The switch to Daylight Savings Time on Sunday comes at just the right time for those seeking to enjoy the extra hour of daylight outdoors, as a warming trend is on tap for a sizeable portion of the country in the early and middle part of the week.
Springlike conditions are expected across the central and southern Plains on Monday and Tuesday, with highs from the 60s to the 80s, according to the National Weather Service. The high temperature in Fargo, North Dakota, is predicted to leap nearly 30 degrees in four days, from 37 Thursday to 65 Monday before it dips closer to the norm.
The warming trend will expand east starting Tuesday, as Washington, D.C., figures to hit 76 degrees and New York City 67 by Wednesday. It should make kid soccer practices much more pleasant for all involved.
Two exceptions to the mild weather early in the week will be a stretch of the South along the Gulf Coast where showers are expected Sunday into Monday, and northern New England states predicted to get a mix of snow and rain around that same time, the weather service said.
Gale warning expires, blizzard conditions ease in Michigan
A gale warning for Lake Michigan expired early Thursday, but waves of up to 20 feet remained possible. A day earlier, Michigan's Upper Peninsula was pounded by heavy snow and high winds gusting up to 50 mph resulting in blizzard conditions and whiteouts.
In Marquette, Michigan, more than 17 inches of snow fell Wednesday, a record for the date. It also was the seventh snowiest March day on record. Schools and scores of businesses remained closed on Thursday.
"Many parts of the Upper Peninsula just measured their largest snowfall of this winter season and it was wet and heavy," the weather service office in Marquette posted on social media. "Shoveling snow can be a health risk, so remember to take it easy."
Storm dissipates in the East; high wind warnings remain
Much of the central and eastern U.S. got a break from intense weather conditions brought by a colossal storm this week, though some concerns persisted.
The weather system moved off the Atlantic Coast on Wednesday, but not before unleashing hurricane winds, tornadoes, and heavy rain, and causing blizzard-like conditions across much of the country. Officials blamed the storm for five deaths in Nebraska and Mississippi.
On Thursday, crews in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana were clearing damage and debris from multiple tornadoes. Across the Plains and Midwest, snow-covered roads were being plowed.
The only lingering weather concern in the East was high wind. Advisories were active from New England to Georgia, warning that strong gusts could cause power outages and bring down tree limbs. The highest wind gusts, reaching up to 60 mph, were expected at high elevations. In Florida, the high winds along with low humidity and dry conditions prompted red flag warnings.
Contributing: Ventura County Star
(This story was updated to add new information.)