Heavy to Excessive Rainfall in the Central Appalachians; Severe Weather in the Mid-South; Hot Weather in Southern California

Heavy to excessive rainfall may lead to flooding today over southwest Pennsylvania into northern West Virginia, and western Maryland. Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening in the Mid-South and across Eastern North Carolina. An extended period of hot weather is forecast for parts of coastal southern California including Los Angeles from today through Thursday. Read More >

Overview

A large and unseasonably moist low pressure system lifted across the Four Corners region March 18-20. Favorable southerly flow during the onset of the event produced moderate to heavy snow over the southern mountains and some southwest Colorado valleys. Once cooler air moved into the region during the latter half of the storm, snowfall began to favor the northern and central Colorado mountains. By the end of the event, generally 12 to 20 inches of snow fell over the Southwest San Juan Mountains with 3 to 8 inches across the Northwest San Juans. The Animas River Basin saw an average of 7 to 11 inches of snow while the San Juan River Basin received 6 to 7 inches. The Uncompahgre Plateau saw locally high amounts of up to 27 inches while portions of the west-central Colorado mountains saw 8 to 11 inches. In eastern Utah, the La Sal and Abajo Mountains received an average of 12 to 19 inches of snow.

In addition to heavy snow, wind gusts exceeded 45 MPH at times.