Severe weather will impact opposite ends of the country this week as a powerful low-pressure system and an atmospheric river unleash damaging winds, heavy rain, and snow in the Pacific Northwest, while storms and potential flooding target the Gulf Coast.
The National Weather Service reported in a 3 a.m. ET update that a “rapidly strengthening and extremely powerful” weather system could bring 70 mph winds to northern California, Washington, and Oregon starting Tuesday.
“These winds will likely cause numerous power outages and tree damage in the most impacted regions,” the weather service warned.
Authorities issued flood watches for the northern and central Sacramento Valley, Shasta County, and western Colusa County from Tuesday morning through Saturday.
In California, temperatures dropped to freezing on Monday, with Paso Robles recording 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
On Wednesday, an atmospheric river — a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture capable of producing severe weather — will strike California’s Redwood Coast and northern mountain ranges. The system threatens 5 to more than 10 inches of rain, floods, and mudslides, with impacts expected to peak on Thursday.
The NWS urged residents in affected areas to monitor local news and alerts and avoid traveling through hazardous conditions.
“This is going to be a big one,” NBC meteorologist Angie Lassman stated during Tuesday morning’s “Early TODAY” broadcast.
Further south, the eastern and central Gulf Coast will face heavy rain and possible flash floods, with areas from eastern Louisiana to the western Florida Panhandle at the highest risk, according to the NWS.
Elsewhere, a deep low-pressure system will bring moderate to heavy rain across the Plains region, with a marginal risk of severe thunderstorms.
