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Northern California sees unprecedented rainfall as winter storms impact the US Northeast.

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Northern California sees unprecedented rainfall as winter storms impact the US Northeast.






Severe Weather Impacting Both Coasts

HEALDSBURG, Calif. — California experienced significant rainfall and increasing snow levels due to a powerful storm, leading to small landslides and some street flooding. Meanwhile, blizzard and winter storm alerts were issued for various areas across the East Coast, stretching from the Northeast to the central Appalachian region.

This storm system made its way through the West Coast, beginning in the Pacific Northwest earlier in the week, resulting in two fatalities and extensive power outages affecting hundreds of thousands, predominantly within the Seattle region. As the storm progressed into Northern California, it brought heavy winds causing further disruptions.

Santa Rosa reported a historic three-day rainfall total, with nearly 12.5 inches (32 centimeters) by Friday evening, as documented by the National Weather Service. Flooding conditions prompted the closure of portions of the picturesque Highway 1, also recognized as the Pacific Coast Highway, in Mendocino County, though no timeline for reopening has been provided.

On the East Coast, a different storm system delivered much-needed rainfall to New York and New Jersey, areas that have recently battled uncommon wildfires, alongside heavy snowfall to northeastern Pennsylvania. West Virginia was under a blizzard warning into Saturday morning, with accumulations reaching up to 2 feet (61 centimeters) and hazardous travel conditions due to high winds.

As the weekend began, over 112,000 residents in the Seattle area remained without power from this season’s most potent atmospheric river—a phenomenon characterized by a substantial moisture plume forming over the ocean and moving inland. Recovery crews focused on clearing roads of fallen lines, branches, and debris, while warming centers were established in various cities, offering relief in terms of food and charging stations for those experiencing prolonged power outages.

Forecasters indicated that both coasts would start experiencing some relief as the storm systems moved—one toward eastern Canada and the other heading south. In California, signs of relief were already evident on Friday evening, as officials in Humboldt County shifted evacuation orders to warnings around the Eel River, predicting only moderate flooding rather than major concerns.

The storm initially approached the West Coast on Tuesday as a “bomb cyclone,” a term used to describe a cyclone that intensifies quickly. The resulting powerful winds downed trees, impacting roadways, vehicles, and residences. One resident, Debra Campbell from Crescent City, recounted her terrifying experience during the storm. As fierce winds battered her home, a massive 150-foot (46-meter) tree crashed onto her property. “It was incredibly frightening,” Campbell reflected, adding that she managed to gather her belongings just moments before the tree fell.

In the Northeast, which has seen drought conditions, more than 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain was anticipated by Saturday morning north of New York City, with a mix of snow at higher altitudes. Although this precipitation wouldn’t entirely eliminate drought concerns, it was expected to significantly assist once melting begins. Bryan Greenblatt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Binghamton, noted, “It’s not a drought buster, but it’s definitely going to help when all this melts.”

Heavy snowfall was reported in northeastern Pennsylvania, particularly in the Pocono Mountains, leading to numerous school closures. Areas at higher elevations experienced snowfall accumulation of up to 17 inches (43 centimeters), whereas valley locations, including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, reported lesser totals. Additionally, over 85,000 utility customers across 10 counties lost power as the state’s transportation department enforced speed limits on certain highways.