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Erin Strengthens to a Hurricane; Heavy Rainfall Possible in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Upper Midwest, South Texas

Hurricane Erin may bring isolated flash and urban flooding, landslides or mudslides, and possible tropical storm conditions to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands this weekend. Scattered thunderstorms and heavy rainfall may bring areas of flooding this weekend over the Upper Midwest. A tropical disturbance will bring locally heavy rain and mainly urban flash flooding to far southern Texas. Read More >

Another in a series of strong winter storms hit the Inland Northwest on the 6th and 7th of February. Heavy snow fell at a number of locations. But the big story with this storm was the wind, which gusted into the 60 mph range in southeast Washington and the southern Panhandle.

Peak Wind

These strong winds caused extensive drifting in the Columbia Basin, on the Palouse, and in the Spokane area. Below are a couple of pictures taken at the NWS Spokane office showing the blowing and drifting snow. Click here to download a short movie loop.

Blowing Snow, WFO Spokane

 

Blowing Snow, WFO Spokane

 

By Ron Miller