Atmospheric River Bringing Heavy Rain to Southern California and Heavy Snow to the Sierra Nevadas

A strong atmospheric river will continue heavy rain over southern California through Friday. The heaviest rainfall is ongoing today in the Los Angeles Basin. Flash and urban flooding is possible. A prolonged heavy snowfall has begun over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and will continue through Friday. Travel will become increasingly difficult over the passes due to snow and strong winds. Read More >

Overview

A weak system moved through the morning of Thursday, January 11, which brought light snow to northern portions of the forecast area. With winds increasing behind a cold front, blowing snow caused blizzard conditions near the international border in northeastern North Dakota and far northwestern Minnesota. Intermittent white out conditions caused periodic travel problems all the way down to the Highway 2 corridor. As a large low pressure system moved over the Great Lakes on January 13 and arctic high pressure dove south out of Canada, the pressure gradient across eastern North Dakota and western Minnesota tightened, resulting in gusty winds. Combined with light falling snow, blizzard conditions were again reported. Cold temperatures during both events created dangerous conditions for drivers and those caring for livestock.

Snow/Ice
Photos & Video
Storm Reports
Environment

Snow/Ice

Light snow fell across the area, with several inches of accumulation near the international border January 10th into the 11th. The second event on January 13th brought widespread light snow across the area.

Snow map showing light amounts of 1-2 inches in northeastern ND, and higher amounts near Lake of the Woods in MN

Photos & Video

Videos

Photos


NDDOT webcam at Casselton 11:00am Jan 13.	NDDOT webcam at Emerado 2:30am Jan 13.	NDDOT webcam near Grand Forks 2:45am Jan 13.


Warren RWIS at 1:30pm Jan 11.	NDDOT webcam near Michigan 2:45am Jan 13.	NDDOT webcam at Pembina 3:30am Jan 13.

Storm Reports



Figure 1: Loop NWS Hazards map.	Figure 2: Visibility Observations from Jan 11 at 10:00 AM	Figure 3: Visibility Observations from Jan 13 at 11:00 AM	Figure 4: NDDOT road map loop Jan 13


Figure 5: Wind reports from Jan 11. Full PNS Here.	Figure 6: Snow reports from Jan 11. Full LSR Here.	Figure 7: Wind Chills from Jan 14. Full PNS Here.

Environment


Figure 1: 500 mb Height Analysis Chart.	Figure 2: Surface Analysis Map.	Figure 3: 850 mb Temperature Advection Valid

Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.

FGF RSS Feed

Atmospheric River Bringing Heavy Rain to Southern California and Heavy Snow to the Sierra Nevadas

January 11 and 13, 2024 Blizzards Across Northeastern ND and Northwest MN