CALIFORNIA & WEST COAST - Moisture in all three stages of precipitation has fallen from the sky in parts of northern and central California, at least three ski resorts have announced they will open this week, and a cold front has hit the West. Has winter actually arrived in the Golden State?
As we previously reported, rain dancers have seen a glimmer of hope on the West Coast in its need to build the snowpack up from historically low levels. While we are a far cry from seeing what we need to change the status of our four-year-long drought, NBC Bay Area reports that the past few days have seen the following weather patterns to get the ball rolling:
- About one to two feet of snowfall in the high elevations.
- Hail fall in parts of Napa and Sonoma Counties.
- Nearly and inch of rain in some cities located in the San Francisco Bay area.
And it’s hardly over, according to weather professionals.
"There is more good news on the way for part of the drought-stricken West starting this weekend and continuing into next week,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark said in a report.
While most of the drenching rain in the San Francisco - Sacramento, California, areas was yesterday, AccuWeather reports that yesterday and today will most likely bring the heaviest snowfall onto central and northern Sierra Nevada. Areas at about 7,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada can anticipate up to eight inches of snow, with a possibility of up to 12 more inches of snow along the highest mountain peaks.
The storm will reportedly turn inland into Wednesday, but not before treating other areas to some water as well.
"Some snow could again dip as far south as Flagstaff, Arizona, and portions of I-40 eastward to northwestern New Mexico," Clark added. "However, the snow in this area may not be as heavy as the last storm."
Even Colorado could see some love by Veteran’s Day, with chances of a “major snowstorm” in the Colorado Rockies, along the state’s I-25 and the Denver metro area.
More moisture is anticipated along the West in the days to come, so keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we monitor how the weather will affect the industry this winter.
