A string of powerful storm systems battered the Western U.S. bringing powerful winds, flooding rains, and heavy snow to the Pacific Northwest and across California. From late December to mid-January, three atmospheric rivers slammed California and the west coast, bringing heavy rainfall, power outages and flooding.
In addition to the flooding, parts of the Sierra Nevada mountain saw 120 inches of snow more than twice the normal annual average. Rainfall estimates of 10-20 inches and hurricane-level winds, along with sporadic tornado warnings also occurred in this long storm system. In California, at least 17 deaths have been directly attributed to the flooding and other elements of the storms.
Satellite animations of this event:
Hover over the boxes to play. Click the images to view enlarged
Healthy Snow Pack in Western U.S.
Description:
After multiple storm systems in January, the mountains of the Western U.S. holds a healthy snow pack.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: GeoColor
Twenty-Four Day Time Lapse Shows Barrage of Storms Hit West Coast
Description:
This twenty four day time lapse shows storm after storm batter the U.S. West Coast.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: Water vapor (band 10)
Parade of Storms Bring Overwhelming Moisture to West Coast
Description:
A barrage of storms continue to slam into the U.S. West Coast bringing copious amounts of moisture.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: GeoColor
Full Evolution of Bomb Cyclone
Description:
The full evolution of the bomb cyclone over the Pacific.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: Water vapor (band 10)
Storm Batters North American West Coast
Description:
The bomb cyclone reaches the coast, battering the west with strong winds and heavy rain and snow.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: GeoColor
Close Look at Storm System Slamming Coastline
Description:
A close look at the leading edge of the storm system approaching the U.S. West Coast.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: GeoColor
Powerful Storm System Approaches U.S. West Coast
Description:
A broad view of a powerful mid-latitude cyclone approaching the U.S. West Coast.
Satellite: GOES-18
Product: GeoColor