West Coast Storm Update!!

Weather Followers,

Quick update – What a wild day today in SoCal, as a quick powerful storm slammed into SoCal, delivering numerous lighting strikes, hail, wind and thunder! Currently, there is a lull before the next powerful storm starts bearing down on CA. For SoCal, below is the updated highlights of the storm from the NWS in LA/Oxnard:

(Click to enlarge)

Currently, the NWS in LA and SD  has hoisted numerous warnings and watches for SoCal, was flash flood watches are now in effect through Saturday night:

NWS SD’s Flash Flood watch:

0Z GFS Total Precipitation Model, through Feb 6th:

As I looked at the 0Z GFS forecast models, I believe that DTLA will get roughly 2.50″ rain, through Tuesday. The period from Friday night until Saturday night could be serious, as the burn areas will be under the gun, as this storm will have a very strong subtropical fetch  and southerly winds, that will enhance the upper level flow as it approaches the area. Unlike today’s storm, the next storm will have a period of 6 to 12 hours of moderate to heavy rain. The mountains will get anywhere from 1 to 2 feet above 7000 ft for SoCal, and 5 to 6 feet in the Sierra’s!! This is great for the snow pack!! Should be an interesting 4 days……

Here is another total precipitation forecast from the Weather Prediction Center at NOAA: Pretty much showing the same rain totals as the GFS so everything is in line for a major storm and rain through Tuesday:

Long Range:

Plenty of time to get into that after these few storms. However, I glanced at the Euro’s EPS weeklies, and it is showing a pretty progressive zonal flow from the pacific through the end of February, which will have very active weather on the west Coast. As for NYC, I don’t see any major snow makers for Feb just yet, but something might be brewing for March….Stay Tuned!

Be safe this weekend! Monitor the NWS at www.weather.gov.

More updates as they become warranted!

–JM