National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rainfall to Bring Flooding Threat to California; Heavy Snow in the Sierra

A strong atmospheric river will bring heavy rainfall to California through the holiday week. The heaviest rainfall is expected on Wednesday in the Los Angeles Basin. Flash and urban flooding is possible. A prolonged heavy snowfall is expected in the Sierra Nevada from the atmospheric river, raising concerns for major snow‐load impacts. Travel may be difficult to impossible over the passes. Read More >

Below are some very rare lake effect Waterspouts. Chris Westcott took these pictures in the vicinity of Lower Brule. The waterspouts are formed from the instability that is created when the air that is associated with the relatively warm open waters of the Missour River interact with the extremely cold air located just above the surface. These type of waterspouts have a very short lifespan and generally dissipate just as quick as they form. Chris said that at one time there were 6 of them.

Wintertime Waterspout