A strong atmospheric river is heading for California while a powerful Nor’easter heads for the East Coast, according to forecasts published late Monday.
Both Californians and residents in the Northeast have battled back-to-back extreme weather events since Christmas 2022, with upcoming storm systems expected to bring flood threats, snow, coastal flooding and dangerous-to-impossible travel, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Subsequent forecasts include nationally-representative rainfall and snowfalls expected through Thursday. Heavy, wet snowfall and wind gusts of up to 40-50 mph are expected to last from Tuesday into Wednesday, NWS continued.
Double-Whammy! Storm-weary Californians are facing another strong Atmospheric River Event and the Northeast is bracing for a powerful Nor’easter. Widespread considerable flood threats in California. Dangerous to impossible travel in the Northeast from snow, and coastal flooding. pic.twitter.com/9cxusHolxS
— National Weather Service (@NWS) March 14, 2023
On the West Coast, numerous California rivers are expected to reach and far surpass flood stage levels, NWS California-Nevada reported. High rainfall and other forms of precipitation will continue across the entire length of the state and into Nevada throughout Wednesday. The highest levels of precipitation are expected early Thursday in Central and Southern California.
California Highway Patrol also corroborated reports of funnel clouds in the Jamestown area near Sacramento. Residents were told to take shelter immediately until the tornado warning passed. (RELATED: Check Out The National Weather Service’s Amazing Word Gymnastics Over California Drought Questions)
The long-track supercell near Fresno, California today resembled something you would see in Oklahoma.
Truly a special day of storm chasing. pic.twitter.com/obJ2HA7uJV
— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) March 13, 2023
Weather researcher Colin McCarthy captured a long-track supercell storm system on video in Fresno, California. He said the system was more like something you would find in Oklahoma. Video footage shared on his Twitter account also shows snapped power lines and severe flooding already in the region.