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Atmospheric River Continues Areas of Heavy Rain and Snow for California This Weekend

An atmospheric river will continue to bring gusty winds, moderate to heavy rainfall, and potential flooding to southern California and the southern Great Basin through Sunday. Periods of heavy snow will continue as well above 7,000 feet over the Sierra Nevada mountains associated with this atmospheric river. Read More >

Overview

Unlike many past major snowstorms across western and north central Nebraska, a deep upper low was not present in the central United States on March 7, 2024. Instead, a slow moving area of weak upper low pressure pushed eastward across the central Plains through the day. Anomalously high atmospheric moisture was in place for this time of year, along with a narrow corridor of converging winds aloft. This, along with the environment being moderately unstable, led to enhanced lift and a snow band developed in this narrow corridor around 3 PM CST in southwest Nebraska. The band lifted northward through the evening, reaching North Platte and stretching northeastward into Custer County. The band remained nearly stationary for almost 6 hours, with snowfall rates of 2-3" per hour observed. A daily snowfall of 15.3" (with 14.6" falling in the 6 hour period the band was stalled) occurred on March 7th in North Platte, setting a new all time single day snowfall record. A total of 15-18" of snow fell across the North Platte area and points north and east into Custer County, prompting numerous road closures. 

Image
I-80 & I-76 Junction on March 7th

Source: Nebraska 511

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