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Cold Front Moving Through the Northeast U.S. Monday; Atmospheric River to Impact the Pacific Northwest Midweek

A cold front will cross the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. through Monday with gusty winds and areas of rain showers. A strong atmospheric river is expected to move into the Pacific Northwest by midweek bringing a threat for moderate to heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and mountain snows for parts of Washington, Oregon, northern California, and the Sierra Nevada. Read More >

Overview

A deep upper level trough swept across the southern US and turned northeastward offshore of the east coast from the morning of January 3 through the morning of January 4, 2018. The interaction between the cold upper trough and the relatively warmer Atlantic waters resulted in tremendous intensification of a surface low pressure system that tracked from around Miami, FL to just offshore of Cape Cod on January 3 and 4. A good deal of moisture wrapped into this system and was lifted across much of the east coast, resulting in a broad area of moderate to heavy snowfall. A heavy band of snow impacted portions of the Taconics, Berkshires, Litchfield Hills, and southern Green Mountains from the late morning through the afternoon hours of January 4, resulting in snowfall rates up to 3" per hour and total snowfall amounts mainly in the 7 to 15 inch range. To the west of the heavy snowband across the Hudson, Mohawk, and Schoharie Valleys, a widespread 3 to 7 inches of snowfall occurred. Gusty northerly winds occurred with this system as well, with gusts of 30-45 mph recorded. The winds and falling snow contributed to reduced visibility and blowing and drifting of snow. The snowfall tapered off in the evening of January 4.
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