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# Weather West

California weather and climate perspectives

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## Posts

- [Unusually active April weather pattern to continue this week, and possibly beyond, as subtropical northeastern Pacific waters reach record warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43838) - April 19, 2026 - Daniel Swain - Milder temperatures in April than March, with much more precipitation; snowpack, however, remains extremely low What a strange Water Year it has been in 2025-2026! We started the WY with record rainfall during Oct-Dec across much of the central and south coast, including the wettest Oct-Dec period ever observed in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Kern, and #
- [After a historically hot March, an active April weather pattern will bring thunderstorms, cooler temperatures, and likely even some Sierra snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43818) - April 7, 2026 - Daniel Swain - Following a ridiculous ridge in March and associated record-shattering warmth, a more transient pattern has established in April Well, I won't belabor the point: March 2026 was a month that will long be remembered for its astonishing warmth across California and the broader West. Snowpack in most regions is now near or below all-time record #
- [As historic March heatwave finally fades, a brief cooler/wetter interlude will occur across the U.S. West in early April before warmth & dryness likely return](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43769) - March 28, 2026 - Daniel Swain - Unprecedented March heatwave among most anomalous ever observed, in any month, the American Southwest Well, it sure has been...quite a month. Meteorologically speaking, March 2026 will go down in the record books as the warmest March on record for at least a third, and possibly half or more, of the continental United States. But even #
- [Extraordinary and prolonged March heatwave to break records and decimate mountain snowpack across U.S. Southwest, including much of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43745) - March 11, 2026 - Daniel Swain - "Winter" 2025-2026 warmest on record across most of Western U.S., including SoCal & Sierra Nevada Well, now it's official: Winter (Dec-Feb) 2025-2026 was the warmest on record across the majority of the American West, and a top-3 warmest winter nearly everywhere that it didn't quite cinch the record. That includes nearly all of the Colorado #
- [Following a whiplash transition from record warmth to very heavy mountain snowfall in California, yet another swing back toward anomalous warmth (first damp, then dry)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43727) - February 22, 2026 - Daniel Swain - A remarkable snowy interlude during what has thus far been a record warm winter: Disruptive, and even deadly, in the Sierra Nevada Last week's snowfall in the Sierra Nevada--and also at much lower elevations, for the first time this season, into even the lower foothills and Coast Ranges--marked a dramatic shift from a nearly 40-day #
- [After a long, dry, and very warm January, a cooler & wetter pattern will return to the U.S. West, with partial relief amid record-low mountain snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43706) - February 8, 2026 - Daniel Swain - Record warm winter-to-date continues across most of the American West; already abysmal mountain snowpack dips to record low levels in many areas (except...higher elevations in southern Sierra!) Well, it sure has been a winter to remember thus far across the Western U.S. Astonishing, record-breaking warmth has pervaded nearly entire region (with few exceptions, though one #
- ["Warm West/Cool East" dipole to develop over North America in late January; mostly dry/warm conditions lead to record-low Western U.S. snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43686) - January 19, 2026 - Daniel Swain - Yes, it's still record warm out West and the snowpack really is that bad (outside of central/southern Sierra) I'll keep this part pretty short: it has been an absurdly warm winter thus far across nearly the entire American West, including most of California. One of the only exceptions has been CA's Central Valley, where episodes #
- [Warm subtropical system to bring heavy New Year's rain to SoCal before a somewhat quieter pattern takes hold by mid January](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43669) - December 30, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Taking stock of recent storm impacts--and the exceptional SoCal wet period isn't over yet Since October, a historically exceptional period of weather has unfolded across California. Unusually early and intense autumn rains soaked southern and central California--de-fusing fire season before offshore winds ever arrived in force. Then, for much of November and early December, an #
- [A wet and stormy week ahead in California, with substantial SoCal flood risk and initially warm Sierra rain transitioning to very heavy snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43652) - December 21, 2025 - Daniel Swain - An extremely warm and very moist airmass over California to start the week; record low Sierra snowpack persists Well, the last 3-4 weeks sure have been exceptionally warm across most of the Western United States. Record warmth has occurred literally every day across a substantial chunk of the western third of the country. Accordingly, December #
- [As warm atmospheric rivers slide gradually southward along Pacific Coast, a return to rain and end to tule fog in NorCal later this week--but don't expect much mountain snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43624) - December 14, 2025 - Daniel Swain - An exceptional temperature inversion: Weeks of tule fog and damp chill in the Central Valley amid a record-warm airmass more broadly across American West and California Well, it sure has been another dramatic couple of weeks when it comes to Western U.S. weather! But exactly what the drama has been varies widely from place to #
- [Under a resilient ridge, prolonged tule fog episode brings cold and damp weather to the Central Valley but anomalously warm/dry weather elsewhere](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43605) - December 6, 2025 - Daniel Swain - An increasingly resilient ridge keeps California dry, but with markedly different daily weather in dense tule fog vs non-fog zones, following a very wet and relatively warm autumn Well, the final numbers are now in and they reflect what everyone has been talking about in Southern California: it genuinely was historically wet this fall in #
- [Southern California weekend storm looking increasingly powerful, with growing flood threat for LA Basin & beyond](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43589) - November 14, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Quite some whiplash: from record heat to record wet (and yet one more damaging wildfire before that happens) Well, the weather this year sure is doing its best to keep us on our toes! The last 2-3 weeks featured record (or near-record) warmth across most of California and Nevada, as well as a good portion #
- [After anomalous late Oct warmth, a sooner-than-expected shift back toward wetter conditions in (at least) NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43576) - November 3, 2025 - Daniel Swain - A quick blog update amid shifting conditions I suspect that more than a few of us, at our busiest and most chaotic moments, have exclaimed to exasperated friends and colleagues that we "wished there were two of us to help share the load!" Well, in this present moment, I am not sure a single clone #
- [Following a cool and wet October, a much warmer and drier November to come across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43555) - October 26, 2025 - Daniel Swain - A notably wet (and also cool) October across nearly all of California and much of the Southwest 2025 has been a decidedly strange weather year in California--starting with January's devastating Los Angeles-region firestorms amid a record-dry 6-9 period (and following near-record wet conditions over the 1-2 years prior). The spring and early summer were notably #
- [Hurricane Priscilla remnants to bring widespread Southwest rain/thunderstorms (including far SoCal); more widespread precipitation possible with colder NorCal system by mid-Oct](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43542) - October 8, 2025 - Daniel Swain - An very mild September across CA, but humidity & some unusual rainfall kept fire risk low September 2025 was yet another "strange" weather month along the Pacific Coast. In California, multiple episodes of precipitation (and a fair bit of thunderstorm activity) brought wetter conditions to much of the state--particularly across central and southern California. Serious, #
- [Wild weather week possible in California as humid heat transitions to potential dry-to-wet thunderstorm outbreak thanks to tropical storm remnants](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43530) - September 15, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Early September lightning outbreak brings many wildfires, with some damage, but lack of NorCal drought prevents worse outcome The month of September started with a bang--or, rather, the near-constant rumble of thunder from thousands of lightning strikes amid an intense thunderstorm outbreak that affected a broad portions of interior central and much of northern California. #
- [An unusual weather pattern to bring extreme British Columbia/PacNW heatwave, with lesser CA heat (and the potential for a few surprises)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43494) - August 30, 2025 - Daniel Swain - As "meteorological summer" draws to a close, a few reflections regarding CA and the broader West Meteorological summer ends tomorrow (at the end of August), so I thought it would be worth taking a look back the last three months. Now, along the California coast, it's almost always the case that September (and sometimes October) #
- [Major heatwave to bring increased wildfire risk, and (finally!) a substantive monsoonal surge to California & Southwest](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43475) - August 19, 2025 - Daniel Swain - August has been considerably warmer than July in most spots--and will likely end up above average statewide The latter portion of June and most of July was a notably cool summer period for much of California--contrary to both short- and medium-term expectations. But the first half of August has, once again, seen a return to #
- [What's up with the unusually cool start to NorCal coastal summer vs anomalous inland heat? Plus: cool everywhere this week, but heat rebuilds into August](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43457) - July 22, 2025 - Daniel Swain - A remarkably cool start to summer in coastal northern and central California--but unusually hot inland and in mountains! It has been a very cool start to the summer (from May through mid-July) across the entire coastline of northern and central California, as well as much of the San Francisco/Monterey Bay Areas in general as well #
- [Hotter temperatures ahead for California heading into mid-July as fire season heats up](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43444) - July 6, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Coast-inland temperature persists across CA, with a mild start to July in most spots Well, that anomalously cool coast-hot inland dipole pattern (in which the usual cool coast-hot inland pattern was amplified even more than is usual in summer) has continued since last update--and, at this point, a bit later into the still-young summer than #
- [A chillier and windier solstice with increased lower elevation fire risk; All signs still point to more widespread and anomalous heat later in summer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43428) - June 19, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Remarkable contrast, once again, between near-record warmth inland & mountains but near or cooler than average coast in May-June Well, it has happened again: California has experienced yet another late spring period that was exceptionally warm across nearly the entire interior and mountain portion of the state--yet simultaneously unremarkable, or even (locally) notably cooler than #
- [June Whiplash to come: Brief surge of record NorCal heat before sudden cooler/unsettled shift--then notable heat returns again?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43409) - May 27, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Rapid warm-up Thu-Sat, with daily to monthly records possible across interior NorCal Well, here comes the roller coaster! The next 2 weeks will feature a wide array of active, unusual, and highly changeable weather conditions across California and the broader West. It would, I think, be fair to call the upcoming pattern one characterized by #
- [As progressive ridge-trough pattern shifts toward more persistent ridging, rising heat in CA and the Southwest likely in late May](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43392) - May 15, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Recent conditions in California: Unsettled, though mostly drier and windier than average; temperatures mixed The past month has brought a notable unsettled period of weather to much of California and the broader Southwest. Significant, and much-needed, precipitation fell across some portions of the interior Southwest (including northern Arizona and New Mexico), along with some rain-shadowed #
- [Mild and occasionally unsettled spring conditions to persist into mid-May, with hotter/drier conditions still likely thereafter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43362) - April 28, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Notable spring showers keep things damper than expected over past couple of weeks. Plus: some climate context... Well, weather conditions across a good portion of California have been a bit more unsettled (read: active) than anticipated over the past couple of weeks. That recently culminated in a pretty cold late-season low that brought widespread April #
- [As wet & cool late-winter pattern departs, growing signs of unusually warm & dry spring across CA & broader West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43344) - April 7, 2025 - Daniel Swain - It's official: California's north-south precipitation dipole persisted the entire wet season Well, as the dry season approaches, it's now pretty clear that the much-discussed north-south "precipitation dipole" across California did indeed manage to persist for the entire rainy season (something that had been predicted by seasonal outlooks). It did soften, somewhat, from its very intense #
- [An active pattern to continue across California, with mainly beneficial precipitation through mid-Mar](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43327) - March 6, 2025 - Daniel Swain - The north-south precipitation dipole in CA persists, though with some recent attenuation The last couple of weeks have featured a mix of wet and dry weather statewide--not uncommon for February and March in California. More unusual has been the periods of considerable warmth--in some cases, record-breaking--across parts of the state in recent days. But overall, #
- [Major storm to bring high risk of debris flows in SoCal wildfire zones, with some flood risk elsewhere](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43309) - February 12, 2025 - Daniel Swain - California's extraordinary precipitation dipole has persisted into mid-Feb with only slight attenuation Well, it has finally rained in Southern California this winter. But nearly the entire region remains woefully behind average. And the much-discussed north-south precipitation dipole has persisted all the way through mid-February, with NorCal remaining exceptionally wet (with some locations in the northeast #
- [Warm, wet atmospheric river to soak NorCal, w/mostly modest flood risk; SoCal likely to see at least some additional rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43287) - January 31, 2025 - Daniel Swain - NorCal January dry spell ends on last day of the month; much quieter wildfire conditions have emerged in SoCal We have, finally, seen a week with minimal wildfire activity in Southern California due to recent rainfall (and mountain snowfall, resulting in some rather dramatic "before and after" images (see below) ). And although the last #
- [Widespread rain in SoCal to temporarily alleviate fire concerns by Sunday; SoCal drought still likely to expand rest of winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43277) - January 24, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Extraordinarily sustained winter fire weather episode continues in SoCal through Saturday, but dramatic shift to come Southern California is now well into its driest start to the ostensible "rainy season" on record, and this week we've been topping things off with single-digit humidity and balmily warm temperatures. Moderate to strong offshore wind conditions have continued #
- [Hydroclimate volatility on a warming Earth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43181) - January 15, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on a new peer-reviewed scientific review article, recently published in the journal Nature Reviews: Earth and Environment, that I led with a fantastic team of collaborators from NSF NCAR, ETH Zurich, UC Merced, Desert Research Institute, Stanford University, WSU Vancouver, UMass Lowell, and UT Austin over the past several years. What is #
- [Following historic wildfire disasters in Southern California, a statewide dry spell intensifies and extreme fire weather conditions persist in the south](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43193) - January 12, 2025 - Daniel Swain - Remarkable wet-to-dry transition combined with extreme downslope wind event yields dual wildfire catastrophes in SoCal It's never good feeling when a dire weather or disaster risk prognostication comes to fruition; that "pit in your stomach" sensation has been described by many meteorologists, climate scientists, emergency managers, and disaster-focused researchers over the years. It certainly encapsulates #
- [As extreme California precipitation dipole persists, a high-end offshore wind/fire weather event may unfold in SoCal this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43171) - January 4, 2025 - Daniel Swain - A record-breaking north-south precipitation contrast conditions in CA amid warmer-than-average conditions Heading into the new year, from mid-December, it appeared likely that the already extreme precipitation disparity between very wet northern California and bone dry southern California would continue. And...it certainly did, with rather frequent soakings continuing north of the Interstate 80 corridor (which has #
- [Warm and "wet north/dry south" pattern to continue in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43161) - December 19, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Persistent subtropical ridge produces an extraordinary precipitation dipole in northern vs southern CA When it comes to California precipitation so far this season, your mileage may vary. Specifically as a function of latitude! Since October 1, nearly all of NorCal north of the Golden Gate has seen much wetter than average conditions; south of Point #
- [Another swing of the precipitation pendulum in NorCal; Meanwhile, Santa Ana winds & wildfire risk in SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43144) - December 6, 2024 - Daniel Swain - A transition season of precipitation extremes...in NorCal (but dry in the south) Well, this sure has been an interesting start to the Water Year in California. Over the last 90 days, in different parts of the state, there have been record hot temperatures, record-breaking heavy precipitation, and near-record low precipitation (and in some cases, more #
- [Sudden shift to very wet conditions in NorCal with strong & very slow-moving atmospheric river poised to soak region in coming days; flooding likely in north](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43112) - November 18, 2024 - Daniel Swain - A dry autumn to date in most of California! But hydroclimate whiplash to come... It did turn out to be a much drier than average autumn across most of California and the Southwest after all (except the northernmost part of the state). Well, that has been true through mid-November, at least--though it's going to change #
- ["Inside slider" systems to bring drier and windier conditions into mid-Nov, with rising SoCal wildfire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43099) - November 3, 2024 - Daniel Swain - NorCal has seen widespread wetting rain in the past two weeks, but central and southern CA have not Fortunately, recent conditions in California have not been (quite) as warm or dry as initially suggested by model ensembles (and as noted in the previous blog post) for late Oct and early Nov. Widespread wetting rainfall has #
- [Relatively dry and warm autumn pattern likely to continue into early November](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43087) - October 24, 2024 - Daniel Swain - A very warm (and dry, for most) autumn this far in CA and the interior West Record-breaking heat did indeed occur across much of California and the Southwest in early October, as predicted. And the heatwave that occurred was ultimately both more intense and more prolonged than even the rather severe event that was originally #
- [Major autumn heatwave to continue streak of record heat in interior Southwest; Warm to hot in California for foreseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43058) - September 30, 2024 - Daniel Swain - A September Yo-Yo in SoCal; Record hot to cool to hot again September was a bit of a roller coaster month in California (especially SoCal). In the southern half of the state, a record-breaking early Sep heatwave kickstarted a major wildfire outbreak that coincided with a major late monsoonal surge--leading to a dramatic mix of #
- [Early-season low pressure system to bring brief shift to much cooler & moister conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43031) - September 14, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Extraordinary SoCal heat and wildfire surge in first half of September Well, the early September heatwave sure turned out to be a remarkable one--particularly across Southern California (where a number of locations came close to or even tied all-time record highs) and the Pacific Northwest (where a number of locations recorded the hottest temperatures on #
- [Unusually hot weather returns to the West, with major heatwave & fire weather escalation after Labor Day](https://weatherwest.com/archives/43019) - September 2, 2024 - Daniel Swain - After cooler and wetter mid-Aug reprieve (in NorCal & PacNW), hot weather returns Well, it's not official yet--but when the formal NOAA statistics come out later this week, it's quite likely that Summer 2024 will be deemed the hottest on record across much or most of the American Southwest, perhaps including Arizona, Nevada, California, and #
- [A (relative) mid-August reprieve for CA, but peak of fire season may be yet to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/42965) - August 15, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Following record July heat, August has been cooler (and that will continue for another week or so) Although the tea leaves were already pretty clear from the preliminary data available when I wrote the last blog post, it's now official: July 2024 was the hottest July (and, in many places, single month) on record for #
- [After hottest July on record across most of California, more modest heat to come through mid-Aug (plus some monsoonal thunderstorms)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/42557) - August 1, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Hottest July (and single month) on record across most of California. Again. Well, we did it again: for the Nth time in the past decade or so, California experienced its hottest July on record. (This is certainly the case across inland regions, and likely at a statewide level, though not the case in most coastal #
- [More inland heat before late July reprieve amid record-hot summer to date & escalating Western wildfires](https://weatherwest.com/archives/42190) - July 21, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Yes, it really has been record hot this summer away from the coast. Again. Well, here we are...again. The past 30 days has already been the warmest such period on record across most of California (away from the immediate coast) and much of the Southwestern U.S. If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, well...perhaps it should: most #
- [Long-duration and in some cases record-breaking heatwave across much of CA in early July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/41590) - June 30, 2024 - Daniel Swain - June ended up being a very warm (and warmer than expected) month in CA except at immediate coast June was...well, a pretty toasty one across most of the Southwest (unless you happen to live close to the immediate Pacific coast!). In fact, across a large portion of the interior Southwest (including some desert and mountain #
- [Complex weather pattern to bring notable early-season heatwave across West, including parts of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/40562) - May 31, 2024 - Daniel Swain - An atmospheric "Rube Goldberg" machine will lead to complex pattern evolution The upcoming pattern across the Western U.S. is going to be a complex one--the result of a series of concatenating unusual occurrences in the coming days that I'm calling an "atmospheric Rube Goldberg machine." (FWIW, nearly all atmospheric interactions can be conceptualized as a #
- [Quiet spring conditions persist in California, but late summer/autumn could look quite different](https://weatherwest.com/archives/40074) - May 17, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Warmer-than-average conditions from mid-April to mid-May hasten snowpack melting The past month has been a fairly mild one across much of the Western U.S., with many areas near or below their most recent 30-year average (with the reminder that this recent baseline is ever-shifting in a warming climate: such temperatures would have been warmer than #
- [Mild spring pattern to continue across California through early May. Plus, thoughts on summer to come...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/39268) - April 23, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Mild spring conditions will continue for the next couple of weeks The last month or so has been, for the most part, a relatively damp and cool period across California. The coolness has been especially pronounced in coastal southern California, where a few observing sites have seen the coldest such 30-day period in several decades. #
- [Colder system will bring widespread CA rain this weekend, with modest flood risk SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/38288) - March 27, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Respectable late-season storm will bring widespread CA rain this weekend; local SoCal flood risk possible Today's blog update will be a relatively quick one, but I wanted to get at least a quick post up since it does appear that the present active and cool pattern will start to wind down after this weekend's more #
- [Active, wetter and cooler pattern to return to CA during late March](https://weatherwest.com/archives/37923) - March 21, 2024 - Daniel Swain - 2023-2024 was a notably warm and wet winter in CA and the West (with a few exceptions) Well, it's official: Winter 2023-2024 ended up broadly warmer and wetter than average across the Western U.S. There were essentially no exceptions to the "warmer" half of the coin, though some regions were warmer than others (including the #
- [Cold storms headed for CA, including rare blizzard conditions in Sierra Nevada Fri-Sat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/36851) - February 28, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Brief reality check: a quick look at the season thus far Winter 2023-2024 has turned out to be an eventful one despite a pretty slow start in December. Overall conditions have been substantially warmer than average across essentially all of CA, with some parts of the San Joaquin Valley seeing winter temperatures approaching seasonal records. #
- [Additional storms to bring renewed flood risk to parts of CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/36189) - February 16, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Early Feb NorCal wind and SoCal rain events were historically significant February started out with a remarkable pair of Pineapple Express-type atmospheric river storms, each of which brought substantial impacts, but the second of the pair ultimately generated extreme wind gusts in parts of Northern California and historic rainfall in portions of Southern California. Wind #
- [Rapidly strengthening Pacific storm to bring damaging windstorm to Central California, major flash flood risk to SoCal, and a big Sierra snowstorm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/35471) - February 3, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Explosively developing low pressure system will bring rain/wind starting this evening This will be a short blog post since I was not initially planning on writing another one focused on the present storm sequence--but on rare occasions I'll write a short-fused Weather West piece if the severity of an upcoming event justifies it. After checking #
- [Pair of major "Pineapple Express"-type atmospheric rivers to affect California Wed-Mon; elevated flood and wind risk (especially from storm #2)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/35156) - January 29, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Record warmth this week will suddenly give way to pair of major storms Well, I'll keep this section short since there's a lot to talk about! But most of California and indeed much of western North America has been experiencing record mid-winter warmth since the weekend--and although it's hardly the only time California has seen #
- [Stronger cold storm this weekend in NorCal, then warmer and quieter weather to follow. Plus: seasonal outlook and El Niño update...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/34398) - January 10, 2024 - Daniel Swain - Record-warm December in parts of California (and much of the U.S.), with abysmal Sierra Nevada snowpack, despite record downpours on Central Coast December was an extraordinarily warm month globally and nationally (the warmest December on record both globally and generally across the United States). All of California experienced a much warmer than average month, and #
- [After frustrating false starts, strong indications of a major Pacific jet extension & active pattern by late Dec](https://weatherwest.com/archives/33470) - December 8, 2023 - Daniel Swain - A warm and dry November for the Western U.S., but recent record warm soakings in the PacNW If you were in California this autumn, you probably already noticed: this fall was unusually warm and dry nearly everywhere in the state (and, indeed, across most of the Western U.S.!). Despite that, given unusual summer rainfall thanks #
- [Warm Thanksgiving ridge pattern will likely transition toward progressively wetter pattern around early Dec](https://weatherwest.com/archives/33007) - November 22, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Warm and dry pattern for the Thanksgiving holiday week Last week brought a complex and hard-to-predict weather pattern to California: a large and slow-moving cut-off low pressure system took its time inching toward the coast, bringing irregularly spaced but sometimes heavy bursts of showers and scattered thunderstorms. After all was said and done, some areas #
- [Major early-season storm to affect CA by mid-Nov; Plus, new thoughts on implications of still-strengthening El Niño for CA winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/32554) - November 8, 2023 - Daniel Swain - A pretty benign autumn weather pattern in CA (so far) As far as autumns go, 2023 has been mercifully calm from a weather and wildfire perspective across California. Although there several periods of elevated fire weather conditions, and while a couple of modest-sized fires in SoCal did occur (unfortunately burning several structures), September and October #
- [Climate change is narrowing and shifting prescribed fire windows in the western United States](https://weatherwest.com/archives/31088) - October 3, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on new peer-reviewed scientific research, recently published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment, that I led with the help of a team of collaborators from UC Merced, UC Berkeley, The Nature Conservancy, and Washington State University. What is prescribed fire, anyway? The American West, as well as many #
- [Fall-like weather pattern for CA as El Niño continues to strengthen; Odds of a second consecutive wet winter rise (though with caveats!)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/30745) - September 21, 2023 - Daniel Swain - A mercifully mild summer (with a couple of major exceptions!) Well, Summer 2023 was a pretty remarkable one across California and the Western U.S.--but for rather different reasons than in recent seasons. Consistent with the long-term warming of the West, this summer was much warmer than the 20th century average in most places--especially in the #
- [Potentially historic summer storm event to unfold in SoCal this weekend as weakening Hurricane Hilary threatens to move ashore as tropical storm--causing severe flood risk in SE desert region](https://weatherwest.com/archives/29462) - August 18, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Hurricane Hilary will weaken dramatically on approach, but will bring major and even historic impacts in some parts of Southern California I'll waste no time in this introduction except to say: the possibility of "interesting weather" from the remnants of tropical storms I mentioned in the last post is certainly coming to pass, and in #
- [Heat, humidity, and some thunderstorms to come as cut-off low sets up shop south of blocking ridge. Plus, some brief thoughts on the Maui wildfire disaster.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/29215) - August 12, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Prolonged period of below average temperatures in CA now in rear view mirror For most of California, the unusually cool conditions earlier this summer have given way to quite the opposite: the last 30 days have been among the warmest such periods on record for a good portion of the southeastern interior desert portions of #
- [Major and prolonged heatwave develops by this weekend over CA & Southwest; Record temperatures possible in San Joaquin Valley](https://weatherwest.com/archives/27855) - July 11, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Remarkably mild start to summer will be a (not so distant) memory by this weekend As many have noted, the coastal parts of central and southern California have been remarkably cool since about January. After a brief warmer lull in the late spring, anomalous coolness once again pervaded most of California during June. In fact, #
- [Significant, though not extreme, heatwave in California for the holiday weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/27384) - June 28, 2023 - Daniel Swain - After long mild period, significant heat arrives by Fri/Sat It has been a notably mild spring and start to summer across nearly all of California to date, following the coldest winter in several decades in many parts of the state. That's especially notable since much of the rest of the world has been enduring extraordinary #
- [Unusually unsettled June pattern this week, and relatively cool pattern to continue through mid-month](https://weatherwest.com/archives/26962) - June 5, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Mostly cooler-than-average conditions continue in CA, in great contrast to most of the rest of the world Late May and early June have been charactered by (mostly) below average temperatures across California, with a notable lack of exceptional heatwaves across most of the Southwest during the same period. This is largely a continuation of a #
- [Much warmer conditions and mountain thunderstorms return to CA as extreme blocking pattern develops over western Canada](https://weatherwest.com/archives/26417) - May 12, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Another active and unusually cool period in early May across CA After The Big Melt got a big boost from a short but sharp early-season heatwave, conditions in California once again cooled to below average temperatures as yet another late-season storm system brought more rain to lower elevations, a few severe thunderstorms (and another weak #
- ["The Big Melt" has arrived as early season heatwave spikes flood concerns; Cut-off low to bring cooling trend but also possibly thunderstorm outbreak next week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/26039) - April 26, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Major early-season heatwave ramps up through Fri; snowmelt and flood risk accelerate After a winter and early spring that were characterized by remarkably cold conditions across the entirety of California, this week could not feel more different. Above-average temperatures have been the rule in most places, and this early season heatwave is expected to ramp #
- [Spring has sprung (finally) in California, and with warmer temperature, major snowmelt flooding looms. Plus: El Niño is rapidly developing...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/25610) - April 10, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Yet another extraordinary period of California weather Well, things are finally calming down, weather-wise, in California after a rather extraordinary season. And March, in some ways, put an exclamation point on this very active period: it ended up being the coldest March on record in some parts of NorCal, and well colder than average almost #
- [Another strong storm may bring even more substantial and widespread flooding & wind-related impacts late Mon-Tue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/24819) - March 12, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Wild times in the California weather world Welp, here we go again. After a long period (a full season, really) of different kinds of exceptional weather conditions all around California, there's yet one more big storm to come in the immediate future (discussed below). But what has transpired in the past, oh, 48 hours or #
- [Strong "Pineapple Express" atmospheric river to bring heavy rain, snowmelt, and a wide range of impacts to northern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/24693) - March 7, 2023 - Daniel Swain - After extreme snowfalls in Feb, the antecedent conditions are primed The past 3 weeks have featured extraordinary, even historic snowfalls across an unusually broad swath of California. Multiple rounds of sea level accumulations occurred along the North Coast, and repeated snowfalls down to 500-1000 feet in elevation have occurred throughout NorCal. The hills and mountains #
- [Substantial (very) low elevation snowfall possible later this week in CA as cold and active weather pattern develops](https://weatherwest.com/archives/24163) - February 20, 2023 - Daniel Swain - A dramatic (but dry, in some places) cold frontal passage Tue--very windy and much colder In unusually dramatic fashion, there will be a sudden shift from mild, dry, and quiescent weather conditions essentially statewide for the past 7-10 days to a much colder and more active weather pattern on Tuesday. A very strong cold front #
- [After a very active Dec-Jan, a (much) calmer start to Feb](https://weatherwest.com/archives/23602) - February 3, 2023 - Daniel Swain - A (brief) debrief on the Dec-Jan storm sequence in CA Well, that was quite an intense period of California weather from late December into mid-January! A roughly three week-long sequence of moderate to strong storms buffeted most of California--ultimately bringing historically significant precipitation and widespread water and wind-related impacts. One of the first storms in #
- [Very wet pattern continues, with another high-impact storm centered on Central CA Mon-Tue; hints of moderation in medium term?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/22604) - January 8, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Recent storms have brought a litany of flood and (especially) high wind impacts It...has been a bit of a week in terms of storm impacts in Northern California. Although the effects of these powerful (and sometimes sneaky) storm events, the past 7 days have brought a verifiable onslaught of active and often damaging weather conditions #
- [Major NorCal storm Wed; potentially high impact storm/flood pattern to continue for 10+ days](https://weatherwest.com/archives/22404) - January 2, 2023 - Daniel Swain - Wet antecedent conditions set stage for future flood risk There's so much going on at the moment this section is going to be shorter than recent events would usually justify, but here goes. A strong storm on New Year's eve brought very heavy 24-hr precipitation accumulations to a relatively narrow but highly populated swath of #
- [Active weather pattern with prolonged East Pacific winter storm sequence into early January](https://weatherwest.com/archives/22165) - December 26, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Wild Northern Hemisphere flow pattern throws predictions for a loop An especially extreme hemispheric flow pattern over the past 10 days brought dramatic winter weather and widespread travel chaos across much of North America. One of the coldest airmasses in 30 years along the Rocky Mountain Front Range and Great Plains, paired with a rather #
- [Stormy and cold pattern across California, and the broader West, through mid-December.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/21555) - December 9, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Notably cool conditions continue across California and PacNW this month As noted in the last blog post, a notably cool streak has continued across most of the Western U.S. over the past month. This has included some significant snowfall to near sea level as far south as Washington and parts of Oregon as well as #
- [A warm, dry (and windy, for some) Thanksgiving in California, but a pattern shift in early Dec?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/20787) - November 21, 2022 - Daniel Swain - A notably cool month in California and the West This is the first time I've been able to say this in quite a while: the past 30 days have been a remarkably cool to cold period across essentially all of the American West, including California. In fact, in some places, the past ~30 days or #
- [Wet and cool November pattern coming up, with abundant mountain snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/20410) - November 4, 2022 - Daniel Swain - A fairly dramatic shift to cooler and wetter conditions In recent days, much of California saw a pretty abrupt shift from dry and anomalously warm conditions to damp, windy, and much cooler conditions. Rainfall was fairly widespread in NorCal though not especially heavy; most of the Sierra Nevada has experienced some solid early season snowfall #
- [Significant pattern change, though not necessarily significant precipitation, across California this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/19929) - October 21, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Anomalous to record-breaking autumn warmth in recent weeks (yes, yet again) The last two months have proven to be yet another extraordinarily warm/hot period for much of the West, including most of California and essentially all of the Pacific Northwest. Although coastal California is no stranger to very warm temperatures even late into October during #
- [Much needed & beneficial (and possible September record-breaking!) rain in NorCal this weekend! Then...warm and dry conditions resume.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/17641) - September 15, 2022 - Daniel Swain - A record-shattering September heat event...and a tropical storm. Well, it sure has been a September to remember in California, weather-wise. To start the month, the most severe September heatwave on record in the Western United States (and the worst heatwave in any calendar month, in some places) roasted California and adjacent states for 7-10 days. #
- [Extreme heat continues in NorCal as Hurricane Kay approaches from south, with significant SoCal impacts possible](https://weatherwest.com/archives/17401) - September 7, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Extraordinary (and ongoing) heatwave brings all-time record heat to NorCal; Western wildfires surge Let me just start by saying that this is perhaps the singularly most unusual and extreme weather week in quite some time in California--and that is saying something. Whew.The (ongoing) extreme heatwave across California, the focus of my last blog post, has #
- [Severe, dangerous, and likely record-breaking heatwave over Labor Day weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/17179) - August 30, 2022 - Daniel Swain - The last month: steadily elevated anomalous heat, especially inland The past month has been warmer than August averages across nearly the entire state. There have not really been any extreme heatwaves, but these steadily elevated temperatures have yielded what will ultimately be another much warmer than average month in California. Although wildfire activity has been #
- [ARkStorm 2.0: Climate change is increasing the risk of a California megaflood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/16626) - August 11, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on new peer-reviewed scientific research, co-led by Xingying Huang and me, that we recently published in the journal Science Advances. This research, as well as the following blog post distillation of it, represent the first phase of the ongoing ARkStorm 2.0 effort to better understand and characterize the risks #
- [Slow-building heatwave across interior; possible very hot end to July with fire season accelerating](https://weatherwest.com/archives/16155) - July 15, 2022 - Daniel Swain - A refreshing start to summer in California, especially up north May and June 2022 (as well as the first week in July) were notably mild across much of California, for the most part. Late-season precipitation kept things fairly damp across much of the northern third of California through late June, and unusually persistent troughiness (likely #
- [Pre-monsoonal moisture surge to bring scattered thunderstorms to southern/central CA, w/dry lightning threat in some areas](https://weatherwest.com/archives/15610) - June 21, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Much warmer and drier conditions have arrived in NorCal After a final wave of cool and unstable conditions this past weekend across portions of NorCal, a much hotter and drier pattern is already firmly entrenched as of this writing. Today actually brought a pretty substantial heatwave all the way to the coast in NorCal, with #
- [Relatively brief but intense (inland) heatwave this week, then fairly quiescent conditions for 1-2 weeks thereafter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/15281) - June 8, 2022 - Daniel Swain - May and June so far: Cool and damp North Coast, but very dry and windy everywhere else The past month or so have brought a series of late-season weather systems to Northern California--including the latest just this past week, which brought a pretty substantial soaking rainfall to the North Coast and northern mountains (and some #
- [Much warmer and drier second half of May, and some thoughts about summer to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/14786) - May 17, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Recent conditions: mercifully cool and damp in NorCal, but severe drought is intensifying once again It has been a truly bizarre Water Year thus far in California. With all-time record wet conditions in October in Norcal, followed by very snowy conditions in the Sierra during December, then all-time record dry and warm conditions during the #
- [A taste of April amelioration? Recurving West Pacific typhoon may help direct some substantial late-season precip to parts of NorCal, though SoCal remains dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/14111) - April 13, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Driest and among warmest Jan to mid-April periods on record in CA It has been an extraordinary start to the calendar year in California from a weather and climate perspective, and not in a good way. Precipitation has been so low that it has shattered all previous records for low Jan - mid-April precipitation virtually #
- [A modest "one and done" storm early next week, but trend toward re-intensifying drought continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/13823) - March 24, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Much of California, as well as adjacent states, on track for driest Jan-Mar period on record Well, it has been almost completely dry across California since my last blog post in early March. This ongoing Jan-Mar dry spell has been truly incredible across a broad swath of the West centered on California, and numerous records #
- [Some light to locally moderate NorCal showers to come, but a "Miracle March" it is not](https://weatherwest.com/archives/13480) - March 9, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Driest Jan-Feb period on record for most of California I don't think it's any surprise to anyone reading this blog that the past couple of months have been astonishingly dry across nearly all of California. The official stats certainly reflect this: the 2 month period during January-February 2022 was the driest such period in well #
- [A record dry January in some spots, with no precipitation currently on horizon for first half of February](https://weatherwest.com/archives/12924) - February 4, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Record dry January for portions of CA and NV (but thank goodness for "Bombtober") Well, I don't need to tell most folks twice: January 2022 was an exceptionally dry month across most of California and Nevada. Some spots saw a bit of rain and snow during the first couple days of the month, but others #
- [As persistent West Coast ridge builds, California (mostly) warms up and dries out](https://weatherwest.com/archives/12616) - January 10, 2022 - Daniel Swain - Taking stock: a good start to Water Year 2021-2022 I'll keep this part pretty short and sweet: for the Water Year to date, most of California is in pretty good shape when it comes to precipitation. And that's good news, given the historic severity of the regional drought as recently as late September. (I discuss #
- [Active pattern through end of year, with heavy mountain snowfall and low elevation snow possible in some (unusual!) spots](https://weatherwest.com/archives/12279) - December 20, 2021 - Daniel Swain - After a lull, active pattern (gradually) picks up steam again this week With this blog post, I'm just going to focus on what's coming over the next 1-2 weeks (since there is much to discuss! I'll talk about the rest of the season to come next time.). Most of California has been experiencing a relatively #
- [Significant pattern change underway; wetter & cooler conditions likely through at least mid-December](https://weatherwest.com/archives/12029) - December 7, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Extremely wet October in NorCal, then an extremely dry November...and a severe Western "snow drought" It has been a pretty interesting autumn, weather-wise, across much of North America. Record precipitation and severe flooding were observed in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia; meanwhile, record warmth and dryness occurred across much of the interior West and #
- [Following record-wet October in NorCal, much drier & warmer conditions to persist for foreseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/11748) - November 15, 2021 - Daniel Swain - An autumn of precipitation whiplash in Northern California For the first time in quite a few years, this was not an autumn of fire in California. Instead, the weather has been characterized by quite wet conditions in the northern 1/3 of the state--but nearly all that impressive autumn precipitation fell during a single 2-day storm #
- [Strong atmospheric river to bring fire season-ending and drought-mitigating heavy rain to NorCal, but also high risk of burn area flooding/debris flows](https://weatherwest.com/archives/11466) - October 22, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Water! Falling from the sky! In Northern California, it has been a good old rainy week. Many spots have seen a couple inches or more; nearly everywhere has seen at least enough for some modest puddles. In some areas, the amount of rain that has already fallen is probably enough to greatly attenuate or end #
- [Substantial, fire season-mitigating late-October precipitation in NorCal? Plus: present drought breaks new records in CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/11383) - October 15, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Offshore winds and high wildfire risk in recent days, but also some mountain snow The weather has actually been rather active across much of California over the past week or so, but exactly what kind of active weather depends very much on where you were. Bands of heavy lake-effect snowfall blanketed parts of the Lake #
- [Some beneficial North Coast rain this weekend, though wind-related fire weather concerns elsewhere. Plus: thoughts about the rainy season to come...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10965) - September 16, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Widespread lightning event last week wetter than expected, though still sparked a few major fires The best news to come out of last week's widespread lightning event in NorCal (and, somewhat unexpectedly, in coastal SoCal as well) is that the thunderstorms ultimately were a bit wetter than initially expected. Thousands of lightning strikes did occur, #
- [Heat and possibly some dry lightning in NorCal to ring in autumn](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10869) - September 7, 2021 - Daniel Swain - A summer of unrelenting heat (if you're inland or at elevation) or of...quite mild conditions, if you're along the coast It was a Tale of Two Summers this year in California: a blisteringly and unrelentingly hot summer if you resided inland and/or (especially) at a higher elevation, and a "remarkably unremarkable" and mild one if #
- [Another major heatwave for PacNW & interior NorCal; rising fire weather concerns due to heat, then possible lightning, then possible wind](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10391) - August 9, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Searing hot summer continues across CA interior (meanwhile, coastal denizens say "huh?") The overall pattern over California has been remarkably consistent thus far this warm season: exceptional, unrelenting, and record-breaking heat across interior and higher elevation areas (especially in NorCal), but relatively unremarkable temperatures along the immediate coast that have actually felt pretty chilly at #
- [Major monsoonal moisture surge to bring fairly widespread California thunderstorms (wetter south, drier north), with NorCal fire weather concerns](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10210) - July 25, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Continued heat, with record vegetation flammability across interior NorCal I'll keep this section brief, as there is much to discuss regarding the upcoming pattern itself. But suffice it to say that the interior of NorCal has continued to bake for most of July, despite the slightly lessened pace of record-breaking high temperatures. Some areas across #
- [Dry lightning event possible across portions of California Sun/Mon; significant fire weather concerns across interior](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10113) - July 16, 2021 - Daniel Swain - After very long period of searing, record heat inland: a reprieve With the major exception of the immediate coast (which, as previously discussed, has been blessed with a persistent marine layer along with cool temperatures and even occasional drizzle), most of California has experienced a long period of relentless heat in recent weeks and months. #
- [Yet another major heatwave for the California interior, though the coast will be spared (again!)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9899) - July 6, 2021 - Daniel Swain - June 2021 hottest on record for interior CA (but not coast) June 2021 was a month to remember in California...if you happen to live outside the densely populated coastal cities from the Bay Area south to Los Angeles. In marine-influenced zones, June was a relatively unremarkable month--with a robust marine layer bringing periods of cool #
- [California dodges worst of historic Pacific Northwest heatwave, but long-duration heatwave still likely inland. Plus: significant monsoonal surge next week?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9778) - June 25, 2021 - Daniel Swain - An *exceptionally* hot June across the American West I won't belabor the point here--it has been incredibly, record-breakingly hot (yet again) across almost the entire American West in recent weeks. The immediate coast in California has, conspicuously, not been nearly as anomalously hot--and has actually been near average in some spots thanks to cooler than #
- [Severe heatwave across California interior and broader Southwest this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9590) - June 14, 2021 - Daniel Swain - The North Coast just saw some rain, but...get ready for what's coming. Amazingly enough, an unusually moist and very late season atmospheric river ended up bringing a considerable amount of rainfall to the Pacific Northwest over the past couple of days. Several inches of water fell on parched watersheds in coastal Oregon. And believe it #
- [Major early-season heatwave across interior NorCal early next week; extreme drought continues to worsen](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9452) - May 28, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Relative cool reprieve may be ending, especially away from coast The last couple of weeks have featured rather comfortable conditions across much of California, with near average temperatures (even slightly cooler than average) temperatures along the immediate coast due to chilly near shore ocean temperatures and a robust marine layer. Rather dry and cool low #
- [California drought continues to intensify; Cooler temperature and robust marine layer to offer some temporary relief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9141) - May 10, 2021 - Daniel Swain - California descends deeper into drought; "Drought Emergency" declared in NorCal Well, unfortunately, the overall drought trajectory has not changed since the last post: it's still getting worse. And pretty rapidly worse, at that, across much of NorCal. There, virtually no precipitation at all has fallen in places that are usually still pretty wet in April/May, #
- [Some modest April showers this weekend, but overall trajectory toward worsening drought continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/8978) - April 23, 2021 - Daniel Swain - It's really, really dry out there I wish I could be writing that there was a late-season pattern reversal since my last post, with widespread drought-mitigating rains. Unfortunately, the reality has been nearly the opposite of that--the precipitation spigot has remained largely closed since the last blog update, and conditions have been quite warm at #
- [The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge returns...again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/8692) - March 24, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Despite unsettled start to month, no "March Miracle" The first half of March was actually a reasonably active weather period for much of California, with several cold cut-off lows bringing bouts of showery and unstable conditions. Widespread (if brief) bursts of small hail brought unusual wintry coatings to many areas, and quite a few folks #
- [Despite cool and occasionally unsettled conditions in NorCal, unusually dry conditions to persist into March](https://weatherwest.com/archives/8382) - February 19, 2021 - Daniel Swain - After late Jan atmospheric river deluge, a return to drier than average conditions The main weather excitement of the season thus far was certainly the major late January atmospheric event that was the focus of my last blog post. Despite missing some the details during the early portion of the event (winds were stronger and #
- [Wild weather week ahead: widespread heavy rainfall with fire scar flood threat, plus epic Sierra Nevada snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/8044) - January 24, 2021 - Daniel Swain - What a difference a week makes! The first half of January didn't feel much like winter across California. Much of the state experienced record high temperatures--in some places, up into the 80s and even 90s (across SoCal). Snowpack has now dropped to 40% of average for the date. Combined with the near-record dry start to #
- [Topsy-turvy weather pattern to bring record warmth and strong winds, but then big shift to colder/wetter conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7969) - January 15, 2021 - Daniel Swain - Wet season precipitation to date: far below average Few readers will be surprised by the fact that the 2020-2021 Water Year to date has been rather dismal, precipitation-wise, throughout California. Nearly the entire state (with the very localized exception of a few spots in far NorCal within 50 miles of the Oregon border) is running #
- [Semi-active winter pattern likely across NorCal, but magnitude of pattern change uncertain (and good riddance to 2020)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7799) - December 31, 2020 - Daniel Swain - 2020 in California weather, wildfire, and otherwise: good riddance! Let's just face it: 2020 has been a truly awful year in California--weather-wise, and otherwise. California suffered its worst wildfire season on record, by an enormous margin, in the midst of a worsening pandemic. Dozens were killed by the fires themselves, and thousands lost their homes; #
- [Welcome precipitation across NorCal, but not enough to keep pace; SoCal remains dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7774) - December 11, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Record-dry start to "wet season" in some places It will come as a surprise to absolutely no one in California that 2020 has brought a pretty abysmal start to the rainy season. The formal stats certainly bear that out: most of NorCal has experienced its driest Sep-Dec-to-date period since at least the 1970s, and some #
- [Very dry weather across California through mid-December](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7734) - November 23, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Despite some recent NorCal precip, conditions remain dry statewide The good news: there has been some rain and snow across most of Northern California over the past two weeks. The higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada have seen a nice blanket of the white stuff, and the typically wet parts of NorCal have seen several #
- [Partial fire season relief, at last: cold storm arrives in California Friday](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7708) - November 5, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Yet another month of CA record heat in Oct October brought another month of seemingly unending heat and extreme wildfire risk in California. August 2020 was the hottest August on record in California; September 2020 was the hottest September on record; and preliminary data suggests that October 2020, too, was the hottest October on record #
- [Very strong offshore wind event to bring extreme wildfire risk Sun/Mon, esp. NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7691) - October 22, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Still no relief in California: bone dry conditions persist .This section will be very short: it still hasn't rained. For the most part, it has still been warmer than average since the last blog update. Vegetation remains at peak summer-like dryness--which means that potential wildfire fuel is now approaching or exceeding record low moisture levels #
- [Swing and a miss: anticipated October rain evaporates, and more adverse fire weather on horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7660) - October 8, 2020 - Daniel Swain - September: record warm in California It was a September to remember across California, and not in a good way. Following an extraordinary lightning fire siege and record heat in August, September brought...an even more destructive second surge in wildfire activity, and yet more record heat. In fact, following the hottest August on record in California, #
- [Increasingly extreme autumn wildfire conditions in California due to climate change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7550) - September 18, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on new peer-reviewed scientific research, led by Michael Goss, that my colleagues and I recently published in Environmental Research Letters. I originally intended to publish this post earlier in the year to coincide with our paper release, but due to the unprecedented and ongoing California wildfire crisis during Aug-Sep 2020 #
- [Severe wildfire conditions will continue across California, but pattern shift will improve air quality](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7532) - September 14, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Extraordinary, historically unprecedented wildfire conditions across central & northern CA and OR The human toll has been rising, too. The death toll from the California and Oregon fires continues to rise into the dozens, and the news coming out of the Bear Fire/North Complex is particularly sobering. Multiple small towns and neighborhoods in Butte County #
- [Record heat possible once again Labor Day weekend; wildfire risk to worsen following reprieve](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7491) - September 1, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Wildfire situation remains serious, despite improved weather conditions Well, the best news I have to report is that the "second wave" of widespread dry lightning I discussed in the last post was--to a large degree--"a bust." Dry lightning did occur, but it was focused mainly across inland portions of California (vs. the coast), and the #
- [Record heat, unprecedented lightning fire siege in Northern California; more dry lightning to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7459) - August 21, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Record heat, historic NorCal lightning event lead to astonishing wildfire siege Over the past 10 days, a record-breaking heatwave has affected virtually all of California, and a wide swath of the American West. Countless daily record maximum and overnight record minimum temperatures were set across the state on many consecutive days. In fact, Death Valley #
- [Dangerously intense, prolonged, and humid heatwave for most of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7427) - August 14, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Update: Heatwave will be more intense, prolonged, and dangerous than previously anticipated I don't usually write two weather posts in one week, but this time I'll make an exception. Earlier this week, I wrote about a "sustained warming trend and long-duration inland heatwave" that would develop this week in California. Well, that's still true...but that #
- [A warmer second half of August, and some tropical moisture in the mix? Plus: thoughts about (a dry?) autumn.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7411) - August 10, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Relatively quiet summer weather continues for most, but Arizona bakes as monsoon falters Recent conditions across California over the past 3-5 weeks have been pretty typical by mid-summer standards. It has been pretty hot across inland valleys and deserts, relatively cool (and even occasionally chilly) along the immediate coast, with a few instances of afternoon #
- [Extreme atmospheric rivers: what will California’s strongest storms look like in a warming climate?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7364) - July 15, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on new peer-reviewed scientific research, led by Xingying Huang, that my colleagues and I recently published in Science Advances. Atmospheric rivers in a California climate context Atmospheric rivers (ARs)—long, sinuous corridors of water vapor in motion in the lower half of Earth’s atmosphere—are a key aspect of California’s cool-season climate. #
- [Warming trend in California, but most intense heat remains across the interior Southwest. And what about the autumn to come?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7361) - July 7, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Warmer than average conditions continue into July It has been an unusually warm spring and start to summer across most of California. But despite some pretty intense early-season heatwaves, the warmth over the past couple of weeks has been much more subtle--and even absent in coastal SoCal, where temperatures have been near or even slightly #
- [Another NorCal heatwave next week, but progressive pattern continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7322) - June 19, 2020 - Daniel Swain - A very warm spring across California and Southwest California has experienced an unusually high number of early-season heatwaves already this season. More commonly a season of "May Gray" and "June Gloom" due to a persistent and chilly marine influence, coastal California in particular has experienced temperatures well above average over the past 60 days or #
- [Unusually intense and prolonged early-season heatwave developing across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7289) - May 23, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Following recent NorCal rains, a dramatic shift to hot/dry conditions It has been an unusually warm spring so far across nearly all of California, but it has also been a pretty wet spring in southern California. Recent rains finally brought some temporarily relief to northern California, although outside of a few favored areas (which saw #
- [After hot start to May, spring storm to bring rain & some thunderstorms to NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7276) - May 14, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Return to comfortably cool conditions following early season heatwaves Late April and early May were very warm and occasionally hot across most of California. This was especially the case across the south and the interior, where quite a few new daily high temperature records were set. But that early season heat is now (at least #
- [Early season heatwave in SoCal; drought intensifies in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7255) - April 23, 2020 - Daniel Swain - Drought intensifies in NorCal, but spring rains bring SoCal relief March and early April brought a continuation of this year's bizarrely bifurcated precipitation pattern across California. A series of persistent and slow-moving systems brought widespread heavy rainfall to SoCal over the past month or so, setting many daily precipitation records. In general, though, this was #
- [Robust spring storm to bring rain, mountain snow, thunderstorms to California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7239) - April 3, 2020 - Daniel Swain - The strange Water Year 2020: very dry north, not so dry south In many ways, the present Water Year is a tale of "haves" and "have-nots." Nearly all of Northern California remains far below average seasonal precipitation. In fact, a fairly broad portion of the northern third of the state is still experiencing its driest #
- [Some good news: after record dry February, a sudden shift toward wetter conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7219) - March 13, 2020 - Daniel Swain - A record dry February for California Most of California experienced its driest February on record in 2020--on the heels of what had already been a very dry start to winter (and autumn before it, at least in Northern California). Many places saw zero precipitation of any kind for the first time in over 100 years #
- [Very dry conditions to continue at least through late February](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7152) - February 14, 2020 - Daniel Swain - A bone-dry February compounds dry start to winter Autumn 2019 was record dry across parts of northern California. Despite an early December reprieve (especially in southern California), conditions have increasingly become increasingly dry across most of the state since that time. Parts of California have now gone 3-4 consecutive weeks without any meaningful precipitation during #
- [Warm and dry, then cool (and still dry), heading into February](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7132) - January 31, 2020 - Daniel Swain - A dry (and warm, in most places) January in California Unusually dry conditions have been the rule over northern California since the early autumn--where dryness has persisted and become more anomalous in recent weeks. In southern California, however, the recent dryness is in greater contrast to the abundant rainfall that fell during a relatively narrow #
- [Strong and cold NorCal storm Thursday, then a less active late January pattern to follow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7107) - January 15, 2020 - Daniel Swain - A pretty quiet winter so far The rainy season arrived haltingly in 2019-2020. After one of the latest arrivals of wetting rainfall on record in parts of California, very heavy precipitation in late November and early December (particularly in southern California) suddenly ended what seemed like an interminably long fire season. After that brief but #
- [Moderately active December pattern continues; more significant SoCal storm possible next week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7041) - December 20, 2019 - Daniel Swain - A rather unremarkable December to date It is occasionally refreshing to be able to write about a month where nothing is serious amiss as far as California weather goes, and I think December 2019 largely fits the bill. Periodic but generally light to moderate precipitation has occurred statewide (but mainly in the north) over this #
- [Classic winter storm to bring rain, wind, thunderstorms to NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7020) - December 6, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Finally looks like the wet season in California Following what turned out to be an exceptionally dry autumn in California, especially in the north, winter-like weather arrived in fairly dramatic fashion around Thanksgiving--and the active pattern has continued since. An unusually cold storm last week dropped significant snow at unusually low elevations for this early #
- [Wild weather week in California: fire risk, rain/wind, low snow levels](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7003) - November 25, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Brief window of elevated wildfire potential today in NorCal To start off what will ultimately become a pretty wet and wild weather week throughout California, the first item to contend with will be...briefly critical fire weather conditions across most of northern California, including the Sierra Nevada foothills and the Bay Area (yes, on *November 25*). #
- [Dramatic shift to active weather in SoCal; very late season wildfire risk persists in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6977) - November 19, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Sudden shift from record heat to localized downpours in SoCal A fairly dramatic weather pattern change will take place today across Southern California. Following several days of record heat nearly statewide (including temperatures that approached all-time November records in some mountain areas), a much cooler airmass has already arrived in California today. This airmass is #
- [Increasingly unusual dry autumn conditions persist; fire season continues until further notice](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6952) - November 6, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Following slow start, California fire season roars into high gear As a result of these extremely dry and occasionally very windy conditions, the risk of wildfire has increased dramatically in recent weeks. Unfortunately, this extremely high risk potential was realized in portions of both northern and southern California. The largest wildfire of this outbreak, the #
- [Fire season continues with dry conditions persisting. Plus: Davis tornado, power shut-offs, and a new earthquake warning system](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6912) - October 18, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Very dry (but cool) conditions persist for southern 3/4 of state Warming trend to come as West Coast ridge builds; fire season continues until further notice Despite recent relative coolness, however, much warmer temperatures appear to be on the way as a strong ridge builds along the West Coast. Additional offshore wind events appear to #
- [A cooler start to October, but little precipitation on the horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6895) - September 27, 2019 - Daniel Swain - September was a hot month along the coast, especially in the north For the meteorologically-inclined (which I am assuming encompasses most of the readers of this blog!), the broader atmospheric pattern over North America this week will be pretty noteworthy. The deep and highly anomalous early-season trough over the West will produce a very heavy #
- [Hot August continues; some dry lightning possible in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6874) - August 26, 2019 - Daniel Swain - As projected, August was a hot one (in most spots). But where's the monsoon? #
- [Rising heat and a hint of monsoonal moisture to close out July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6842) - July 19, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Substantial warming trend as desert SW ridge builds Another notable anomaly on the SST map is the rather extraordinary warmth in the high latitude Northern Hemisphere oceans--particularly near Alaska. Much of the region just experienced a prolonged heatwave that broke nearly all extant temperature records, and the nearly 24-hour sunlight at that latitude this time #
- [Following record early June heat, a rather quiet summer pattern will prevail through early July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6827) - June 28, 2019 - Daniel Swain - One of the hottest early season heatwaves on record for SF Bay Area This pattern still appears to be linked to the surprisingly persistent reign of high pressure in the Arctic during recent months (where nearly continuous record warmth and sea ice loss has been the norm). You may recall that I've mentioned this pattern #
- [After exceptionally wet May, typical early summer weather gradually returns to California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6802) - May 31, 2019 - Daniel Swain - An impressively wet, cool, and stormy May across California For those interested in a bit of a deeper dive into California thunderstorm climatology, including the science behind supercells and the reasons why this part of the world sees far fewer of them than most other places in the U.S., check out my fairly lengthy Twitter #
- [Highly unusual sequence of winter-like storms headed for California (in late May!)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6784) - May 14, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Recent warm and quiescent period ends suddenly tomorrow A very warm April and relatively warm start to May--coupled with rather dry conditions throughout the state during that period--will come crashing to an end tomorrow. A rather prolonged period of unsettled, perhaps even downright stormy, conditions are expected across most of California over the next 10 #
- [A warm start to spring; low pressure system may bring thunderstorms to southern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6749) - April 26, 2019 - Daniel Swain - The spring doldrums are here Following a banner snow season in the Sierra Nevada, snowmelt season is now well underway (though statewide snowpack remains fully 50% above the long-term average to date--the legacy of prodigious mid-winter accumulations). Temperatures across a majority of California have been well above average over the past month (especially near the #
- [After a prolonged cold and wet spell in California, warmer (but still unsettled) conditions to persist](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6721) - March 24, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Just how wet and cold was winter 2018-2019? (On a slightly in-the-weeds side note, these same models are also suggesting something potentially unusual going on with the warm "western boundary" ocean currents in most of the global ocean basins this summer (see Tweet above). Since I'm not a physical oceanographer, I've reached out to several #
- [Dual atmospheric rivers in NorCal bring flood concerns & yet more Sierra snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6670) - February 24, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Quick recap: A soggy (and cold) February so far It has turned out to be a pretty remarkable February, weather-wise, throughout most of California. A prolonged period of wet, unsettled, and pretty cold conditions have brought widespread heavy precipitation to the state, focused especially on the central and southern regions. Some flooding has resulted, but #
- [Strong but complex storm sequence this week will bring rain, wind, and flood concerns to California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6645) - February 11, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Wavy jet stream caused by Polar Vortex split leading to unusual and hard-to-predict North American pattern Remember, two blog posts ago, when I mentioned that the recent split of the stratospheric polar vortex might lead to a highly persistent ridging pattern over the Pacific lasting multiple weeks? Well, that did happen...except that the ridge set #
- [Strong storm will bring heavy rain, strong wind to most of California on Friday-Saturday](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6626) - January 30, 2019 - Daniel Swain - California's "polar vortex"-influenced dry spell not as long as anticipated In my last post, I discussed the potential for an extended California dry spell--largely the result of time-lagged effects from a recent split of the stratospheric polar vortex and subsequent disruption of the Northern Hemisphere flow pattern. Well, a major disruption definitely occurred--and has resulted #
- [Wet and stormy week ahead for all of California; Dipole pattern to follow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6604) - January 13, 2019 - Daniel Swain - Recent active weather has boosted seasonal precipitation totals Despite a relatively dry start to winter across most of the state, recent precipitation has brought seasonal rain totals closer to average for this time of year. Much of Southern California is now near to slightly above average for the season to date; NorCal remains slightly below #
- [Stormy pattern on California's doorstep; will help mitigate early-season rain & snow deficits](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6590) - January 4, 2019 - Daniel Swain - A relatively dry/warm start to winter, but pattern change imminent Most of California has received less precipitation than average so far this Water Year (since Oct 1), and the Sierra Nevada snowpack is lagging even further behind (due to the relative warmth in the mountains). But the season is still young, and California's winters are #
- [Recent widespread rain brings reprieve to the Golden State; relatively dry conditions may return in the near term](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6570) - December 18, 2018 - Daniel Swain - After delayed start, rainy season arrived in fairly dramatic fashion in some spots Following a painfully long and dry autumn and California's deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record, widespread significant rainfall finally arrived in late November and early December. The entire state was running a growing precipitation deficit as of mid-November; after recent rains, #
- [In wake of California's worst wildfire catastrophe, significant rain finally on the horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6538) - November 17, 2018 - Daniel Swain - A wildfire catastrophe of almost unimaginable scale in Northern California It's a refrain that Californians have heard all too often in recent years: yet another extremely destructive, fast-moving wildfire has torn through multiple communities, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. But this time, the numbers and details are staggering even by comparison to recent disasters #
- [Dry and increasingly warm start to autumn in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6502) - October 28, 2018 - Daniel Swain - A dry October (with a few exceptions)--but how unusual is that, really? The first half of autumn has certainly gotten off to a dry start across most of California this year. There have been a couple of local exceptions--patchy regions along the immediate coast of NorCal, where shore-hugging rainbands just made it onshore a few #
- [New insights into the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge & North American Winter Dipole](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5982) - December 4, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A timely example: Persistent Western ridge, Eastern trough next 2+ weeks In the coming days, a remarkably persistent weather pattern will begin to develop across North America and adjacent ocean regions. Characterized by strong high pressure near the West Coast and low pressure over the Eastern Seaboard, this “quasi-stationary,” high-amplitude atmospheric wave pattern will essentially #
- [Substantial early-season rainfall in California to dampen explosive wildfire conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6476) - September 30, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Hurricane Rosa remnants will mostly miss California to south & east After a fair bit of excitement in recent days regarding East Pacific Hurricane Rosa--which is now weakening rapidly as it takes aim at the far northern coast of Baja California (about 200 miles south of San Diego--among the most northerly NE Pacific landfalls on #
- [Record summer heat across much of state retreats; some deeper thoughts on El Niño](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6459) - September 18, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Record summer heat (in many spots, except SF) fades After a truly searing start to summer across most of California, especially in the south, the last several weeks have felt rather mild by comparison. The record-breaking heatwaves of July, followed by record warm ocean temperatures later in the summer in SoCal, made for very uncomfortable #
- [July 2018 warmest month in California history; unprecedented early-season wildfire activity continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6411) - August 9, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Summary: It is hot out there* (*unless you're in San Francisco) July 2018 was an extraordinary weather month across most of California. Early in the month, a searing heatwave brought all-time record heat to some locations in Southern California. While the truly extreme heat receded somewhat during the rest of the month, temperatures never cooled back #
- [Another prolonged heatwave for southern & interior CA; hottest July on record statewide?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6381) - July 22, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Hot, hot summer: all-time record heatwave in SoCal in early July, and more heat to come One of the most impressive heatwaves in recorded history brought truly blistering heat to Southern California earlier this month. Nearly every kind of of temperature record was broken in at least a few locations, from all-time daily maximum to #
- [Searing but localized weekend heatwave across SoCal; heat slowly spreads north in coming days](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6364) - July 4, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Searing, likely record heat expected Fri-Sat across SoCal The long-expected shift toward drastically warmer conditions (noted in the previous blog post) will finally come to fruition this week. A lobe of the very strong upper-level ridge that has brought record heat to areas from Denver to Boston in recent days will retrograde slightly on Thursday #
- [An unremarkable solstice in California; but a hot second half of summer (and what about El Niño)?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6348) - June 22, 2018 - Daniel Swain - A quiet spring and start to summer across California After a long stretch of tumultuous weather during much of 2017 and early 2018--ranging from record rainfall, continuing drought in the south, all-time record heat, and devastating wildfires (followed by equally devastating debris flows)--a relatively quiet spring and start to summer in California has offered a #
- [Wrap-up of California's dry/warm winter; "May Gray" along the coast and persistent mountain showers continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6319) - May 24, 2018 - Daniel Swain - 2017-2018: The year of "March Mitigation" Most of California was on track for one of its driest winters on record as recently as February as a result of persistent (one might even call it resilient) high pressure ridging along the West Coast during the first half of winter. Recall that December 2017 featured the largest #
- [Increasing precipitation whiplash in twenty-first century California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6252) - April 22, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Note: This special Weather West article focuses on new peer-reviewed scientific research that my colleagues and I recently published in Nature Climate Change. Overview: small shift in average precipitation, but big increase in extremes Previous studies have found that future changes in California’s overall average annual precipitation are likely to be fairly modest, even #
- [April surprise: warm and wet late-season atmospheric river to soak NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6228) - April 4, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Where do things stand now? The last blog post was about another incoming warm, wet Pineapple Express-style atmospheric river storm. That one did indeed end up packing a punch, but that punch landed a fair bit farther to the north than had initially been anticipated. Rain totals were substantial near the Thomas Fire burn area, #
- [Pineapple Express deluge in Southern California; high risk of Thomas Fire flash floods & mudslides](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6203) - March 19, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Very warm & moist atmospheric river heading for SoCal The strongest storm of the year (and perhaps longer) for southern California is rapidly developing over the Eastern Pacific west of California. This system already has a visually spectacular presentation on satellite imagery, and is exhibiting almost textbook structure for an atmospheric river of the "Pineapple #
- ["March Mitigation" commences as unusually cold late-season storm sequence arrives](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6147) - March 12, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Recent precipitation has begun to reduce enormous seasonal deficit, but still long way to go In my last post, I mentioned that upcoming storms would (finally!) start to chip away at the huge seasonal precipitation deficit that has accumulated this year throughout California--but that this storm series would be far from a "Miracle March." So #
- [Much-needed Sierra Nevada snowfall on the way! But a Miracle March? Not so fast.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6119) - February 25, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Long absent, cold temperatures finally return to California The 2017-2018 "rainy season" has been a pretty unusual one over much of California. The season to date has been nearly the driest on record to date over much of Southern California, and conditions have also become increasingly dry across the north as the season has progressed. #
- [Extraordinary winter warmth and dryness to persist as West Coast ridge dominates](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6072) - February 1, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Summer in January; Sierra Nevada snowpack nears record low Despite the calendar, it sure hasn't felt much like the middle of winter across California in recent days. While well above average temperatures and below average precipitation have been widespread throughout the state, recent warmth and dryness have been especially concentrated across Southern California. Immediately following #
- [Record Southern California dry streak to end abruptly with strong storm; serious flood risk near Thomas Fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6044) - January 7, 2018 - Daniel Swain - Record SoCal dry streak February 2017 - January 2018 As many Southern Californians are acutely aware, it has barely rained at all in this part of the state since February 2017. Despite the fact that winter 2016-2017 was fairly wet overall in SoCal (and near-record wet further to the north), the Pacific moisture stream shut #
- [Strikingly dry conditions persist; Thomas Fire now largest California wildfire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/6030) - December 24, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Bone dry in Southern California, and below average precip throughout CA It has been an extraordinarily dry autumn and early winter across Southern California. Northern California had been faring better in the precipitation department so far this season, with near-average autumn rains in most areas. But in recent weeks, Southern California's dryness has begun to #
- [Strong storm across NorCal today; SoCal remains mostly dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5960) - November 15, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Intense burst of rain, wind likely across NorCal later today This will be a quick update (deadlines beckon). But the short, sharp burst of precipitation expected across NorCal later today is worth a brief discussion. This precipitation event was foreseen a week or more in advance by long-range weather models, but it's only in the #
- [Occasional NorCal rain, but dry autumn continues across Southern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5941) - November 6, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Damp in NorCal; bone dry in the south October was an exceptionally hot month in Southern California, with numerous high temperature records falling across a broad region. Many SoCal sites set new records for their hottest temperatures for so late in the calendar year--well into the triple digits in most places, even near the coast. #
- [Much-needed fire relief in North Bay today, but new ridge and record SoCal heat on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5914) - October 19, 2017 - Daniel Swain - North Bay firestorm of 2017 October 2017 will be a month not soon forgotten by many thousands of California residents living in the coastal counties just north of San Francisco. Late in the evening on October 8th, a cluster of extremely fast-moving, wind-driven wildfires roared across Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties (as well as Butte #
- [Typical early autumn conditions prevail; some thoughts on La Niña](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5881) - October 5, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A pretty typical early start to autumn across California For the first time in many months, California has been experiencing weather conditions pretty close to the climatological norm for the time of year. After a summer of searing, record-breaking heat, the past few weeks have featured temperatures relatively close to typical early autumn values across #
- [2017 hottest summer in California history; Cut-off low may bring widespread thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5860) - September 9, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Overview of recent all-time record California heat 2017 brought extraordinary summer heat to California. While record-breaking early-season heatwaves largely spared the immediate coastal areas (but brought endless weeks of searing triple-digit heat to interior areas), extreme temperatures extended all the way to the beaches over the past couple of weeks. The late summer and early #
- [After mid-August reprieve, yet another prolonged California heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5826) - August 25, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A very hot summer thus far away from immediate coast; weak monsoon on western fringe Summer 2017 has featured a recurring pattern across California, characterized by strong and persistent ridging just inland of the West Coast and prolonged, searing heatwaves across most interior portions of the state (and, indeed, across much of the American West). #
- [California's searing summer to continue; active East Pacific could bring tropical "slingshot"](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5788) - July 23, 2017 - Daniel Swain - An exceptionally hot summer so far Despite a mild spring across most of California, summer 2017 has been truly searing across most of California away from the immediate coastline. Numerous, prolonged heatwaves have brought an extended period of well above-average temperatures at the height of summer, with temperature falling to around average for only brief #
- [Monsoon picking up over Southwest; heat & moisture across much of CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5774) - July 2, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A very hot start to California summer (except for the immediate coast) After a relatively mild spring across most of California, June brought quite the reversal. A prolonged, record-breaking, and unusually "muggy" heatwave enveloped nearly all of California for multiple weeks, and temperatures have only fallen back to average over the past few days. This #
- [Searing, prolonged heatwave developing across much of California & Desert Southwest](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5755) - June 16, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Prolonged, dangerous heatwave imminent for areas away from coast After a relatively mild May and early June period across most of California, a rather remarkable heatwave is already underway and will likely persist for many days. Today will be the first of potentially 7-10 very hot days across inland portions of California and interior portions #
- [Quiet early summer conditions; thoughts on the season ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5718) - May 29, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Quiet late spring conditions prevail; snowmelt and subtle warmth continues Weather-wise, conditions across most of California have been rather quiescent in recent weeks. Despite a record-wet Water Year to date across much of Northern California, it has been a dry (and warm) spring across Southern California. Some early season warmth (in some spots, marginally record-breaking) #
- [Unsettled May pattern to bring showers (and some thunderstorms) to California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5688) - May 4, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A warm spring so far; wet north, dry south The first half of spring has been rather warm across most of California, with temperatures ranging from slightly above average in the north to well above average in the south. The winter storm parade continued across Northern California right through most of April, but late-season precipitation has been rather #
- [California hits precipitation record as spring warming commences](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5670) - April 16, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Record wet in Northern California; huge snowpack threatens floods It's official: the Northern Sierra "8-Station Index"--comprised of 8 precipitation observation sites in the northern half of the Sierra Nevada watershed--has eclipsed 1982-1983 to become the wettest Water Year (Oct-Sep) period on record! Even more remarkable is that this record has been set so early in the calendar #
- [Unusually strong April storm headed for Northern California this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5647) - April 5, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather overview After a record wet winter across much of Northern California (and a less impressive but still above average winter in Southern California), March was a relatively dry month across most of the state. This was especially true across the southern third of California, where little to no significant precipitation occurred amidst warmer #
- [Break in storms comes to end; Northern California closes in on record wet season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5621) - March 18, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Multi-week break in active storm pattern allows water to recede 2016-2017 turned out to be quite the winter across California (especially in the northern half of the state). A relentless series of storms--driven by persistent troughing and an associated active jet stream along the West Coast--brought numerous atmospheric rivers and associated heavy precipitation to much of #
- [Strong atmospheric river likely to bring widespread, perhaps severe flooding to Northern California on Monday](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5595) - February 19, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Potentially dangerous flood event this week across wide swath of Northern California On the heels of a strong, damaging, and deadly Southern California storm on Friday, a new and powerful storm is bearing down upon Northern California. A deepening low pressure system just off the California coast will drag an extremely moist plume of subtropical #
- [Powerful Friday storm in Southern California; Warm & wet atmospheric river to affect Oroville Dam watershed Monday](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5582) - February 16, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Quick overview of current meteorological context California is currently experiencing one of its wettest winters on record. Precipitation has been especially remarkable across the Northern Sierra watersheds, where liquid equivalent (rain+melted snow) is presently above 200% of average. Widespread flooding has already occurred across Northern California in recent weeks, and supersaturated soils are now leading to slope #
- [Another storm for rain-weary California this week, then a break, then...yet more storms to come.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5564) - February 7, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Remarkable California wet spell continues This will be a brief update due to time constraints, but given the widespread and somewhat more significant than anticipated storm impacts across Northern California today, the next storm bearing down on the state bears close watching. An intense atmospheric river brought widespread heavy rain and strong winds to much #
- [Remarkably wet winter so far in California...and more storms to come.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5545) - February 1, 2017 - Daniel Swain - After years of drought, California finally sees widespread relief After so many blog posts over the past few years on the progress of California's record-breaking, multi-year drought, it's refreshing to finally be able to talk about the widespread drought-relieving rain and snow that has fallen throughout the state in recent weeks. It will probably come as no #
- [New series of storms to bring renewed California flood concerns, especially in south](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5526) - January 17, 2017 - Daniel Swain - A remarkably wet and active January so far, especially in the north A very wet and stormy period over the past month in California has brought about a dramatic reversal in fortunes in many drought-stricken regions. A series of very moist "atmospheric river" systems brought copious precipitation--in some of the typically wet mountain regions, liquid precipitation has #
- [Northern California storm onslaught continues; widespread flooding likely this evening](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5152) - January 10, 2017 - Daniel Swain - Recent storms set stage for high-impact event today This will be a brief update, but given the widespread significant storm impacts expected later today I felt a quick post was in order. A very warm and wet "Pineapple Express"-type atmospheric river (with origins in the subtropics) brought widespread rainfall to California over the weekend, even #
- [Series of atmospheric river storms to bring risk of significant California flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4842) - January 3, 2017 - Daniel Swain - What happened to the "Arctic Outbreak" mentioned in the last post? Well, it happened...somewhat further north than expected. The Pacific Northwest has been shivering through another unusually extended wave of subfreezing temperatures and snow--even along the immediate coast. These very cold temperatures did in fact make it to far northern California, where snowflakes were indeed observed #
- [Renewed Arctic outbreak across American West; possible low elevation snow in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4693) - December 28, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Season-to-date assessment: drought relief across much of CA, but more needed As we near the end of 2016, just how has California fared over the past several months in the midst of a deeply entrenched, multi-year drought? The answer: pretty well, especially in the Northern Sierra. Season-to-date precipitation as of late December remains well above #
- [Subtropical moisture plume bringing heavy Sierra Nevada precip; widespread active weather this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4594) - December 10, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Ongoing atmospheric river event bringing heavy rainfall in Sierra Nevada I'll cut to the chase in this post, since it's looking like an active pattern may bring some high-impact weather to much of California over the next 7-10 days. The first of these events is already underway--an abundant plume of subtropical moisture is streaming northeastward over the far #
- [Rain, at last, in Southern California today; colder (and drier) pattern to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4479) - November 20, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Very wet October in NorCal transitioned to very dry first half of November After a remarkably active early autumn storm track brought prodigious rainfall to the Pacific Northwest and the northern third of California, conditions during the first half of November were markedly drier. Early season precipitation surpluses have declined toward more typical values for #
- [Unusually active October continues across California, but winter doesn't look so promising](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4353) - October 25, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Wild October weather across much of California October in California is unlike autumn virtually anywhere else in North America. It's a calendar month during which searing heat and extremely dry Santa Ana winds can occur just as easily as powerful windstorms and driving rains. Indeed, we've already seen both record heat and record rainfall in October 2016! Already this month, we've witnessed a #
- [Impressive early-season atmospheric river in NorCal & Pacific Northwest; some early thoughts on coming rainy season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4305) - October 11, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Remnants of Typhoon Songda to bring powerful Pacific NW storm Much of the West Coast of North America is about to experience a rather impressive, prolonged period of stormy conditions over the next 7-10 days. Multiple intense and high-impact storms are likely to affect coastal areas from southern British Columbia to the northernmost reaches of #
- [Thunderstorms possible across Southern California early this week; "The Blob" returns to the North Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4264) - September 18, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Widespread thunderstorms possible across Southern California Mon/Tues, but considerable uncertainty remains After an unusually quiescent summer across Southern California in 2016 (especially compared to the previous year), a bout of active weather is likely to affect Southern California early this week. A rather complex weather pattern is currently evolving over the far eastern Pacific Ocean south #
- [California wildfires rage amidst remarkably inactive summer monsoon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4209) - August 23, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Cool NorCal coast; warm SoCal and inland Just how warm this summer has felt in California depends largely upon who you ask. Residents of immediate coastal Northern California--including most of the Bay Area--have benefited from nature's air conditioning so far this season. Relatively cool ocean temperatures just offshore (a product of increased coastal upwelling this year) #
- [Summer heat to return to California in late July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4173) - July 20, 2016 - Daniel Swain - After a searing June, a more comfortable July...so far. Truly scorching heat baked the Southwest during June--with inland desert regions in southern California, Arizona and Nevada shattering monthly high temperature records and approaching all-time heat records. Northern California was largely spared SoCal's relentlessly high temperatures, courtesy of a Pacific Northwest trough that ended up being #
- [Intense, prolonged, and potentially record-breaking June heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4132) - June 16, 2016 - Daniel Swain - An amplified atmospheric configuration: Pacific low; desert high After an extended period of quiescent weather in California, an unusually amplified atmospheric pattern will bring a potentially prolonged period of very hot conditions to a large portion of the American Southwest. As of this writing, a very deep and cold (for June) low pressure system was situated #
- [Unsettled late spring conditions in NorCal; La Niña Looms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4096) - May 19, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Cold low to bring showers, thunderstorms, and Sierra snow in NorCal this weekend A relatively cold late-season low pressure system is currently diving southward along the West Coast after bringing some spring downpours in the Pacific Northwest. Strong surface pressure gradients associated with this incoming low have already generated strong winds across much of California, #
- [Unsettled weather across California through this weekend, with thunderstorms possible at times](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4070) - May 3, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather overview While much of coastal California has seen quiescent weather in recent days, interior parts of the state have actually been experiencing rather active conditions. Widespread thunderstorms over mountain areas--including the Sierra Nevada, Coast Ranges, and the mountains of Southern California--have brought a remarkably wide variety of conditions over the past 10 days. Somewhat surprisingly, #
- [California drought update; April showers in NorCal; and La Niña Looms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4046) - April 21, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Drought update: how did California fare during 2015-2016 winter? With the formerly powerful El Niño event now fading in the tropical Pacific and most of California's traditional rainy season now behind us, it's a good time to consider the modest drought relief that occurred in California this past winter. First, the good news: the northern #
- [After burst of early-season heat, a sudden shift to active weather across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4018) - April 6, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Overview Essentially all of California received an early taste of summer-like temperatures this week. A very strong ridge of high pressure aligned with the West Coast brought very warm to hot conditions to a wide region--and and a number of temperature records were set on Wednesday from Southern California all the way north #
- [The Rise of the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3996) - April 1, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Please note that this blog post summarizes peer-reviewed research that has been published in Science Advances. This means that findings presented in the following article are the product of a formal investigation by a team of scientists, which contrasts with more typical California Weather Blog posts that are primarily based upon my own informal thoughts #
- [Slow-moving atmospheric river may bring flooding to Northern California; generally active pattern to continue statewide](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3958) - March 9, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Recent storminess in the context of California's ongoing severe drought After an unnervingly quiescent and remarkably warm February, March roared into California like a lion over the past weekend. A quick succession of powerful storms brought a very wide array of inclement weather conditions to the Golden State--from very intense rainfall (and associated modest flooding) #
- [Wild weather weekend ahead sets stage for an active March to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3928) - March 3, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Rapid transition from record warmth & dryness to very wet pattern February was an extremely warm month (once again!) across the entire state of California, with a seemingly endless list of temperature records being broken on a daily basis. February was also quite a dry month across the state, with essentially the only precipitation event of #
- [Recent record warmth to be interrupted by Wednesday storm; long term prospects mixed](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3877) - February 16, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Remarkable stretch of mid-winter warmth, especially in Southern California February has thus far felt a lot more like July across a wide swath of California. Almost no precipitation of significance has fallen in California since the start of the calendar month, and record high temperatures have been set nearly every day in at least a #
- [El Niño remains among strongest ever recorded, but California impacts (so far) a bit different than anticipated](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3836) - February 1, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Reminder: when it comes to El Niño, strength matters. The prospect of an El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean always generates quite a bit of interest in California. This attention largely stems from the fact that two of California’s wettest years on record—1982-1983 and 1997-1998—occurred during the strongest El Niño years in living memory. #
- [Strong Southern California storm on Sunday, then drier interlude across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3822) - January 30, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Rapidly-developing storm to bring impressive array of active weather to Southern California Please note: this post will be one of two over the next 48 hours. The present brief post discusses Southern California storm impacts on Sunday; the latter (and longer) post on Monday morning will discuss impacts of El Niño to date and some thoughts regarding why #
- [Enhanced El Niño storm track has finally emerged; Active pattern likely throughout California next 2-3 months](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3785) - January 17, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Notable "parade of storms" continues over Eastern Pacific; heavy rainfall & some flooding across Northern California In my last blog post, I discussed an imminent "parade of storms" that was slated to begin during the first week of the new year. Over the past two weeks, a series of strong and moist storm systems have brought #
- [Parade of East Pacific storms to affect all of California as subtropical jet strengthens](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3754) - January 1, 2016 - Daniel Swain - Relatively dry conditions persist in Southern California; Sierra Nevada snowfall best in years Relatively little has changed since my last update, and so the present post will be a short one. A handful of modest weather systems have brought generally light precipitation and cold temperatures to parts of California over the past week or so, #
- [Early season rains soak Northern California; statewide storms likely in January](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3726) - December 23, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Modest drought relief in NorCal, but SoCal remains relatively dry As highlighted in the last post, substantial and widespread precipitation has fallen in recent days across the northern half of California. Along the North Coast and in Mendocino County, this rainfall has actually set a number of daily precipitation records and caused minor flooding of some #
- [Substantial Northern California storms this week; El Niño-influenced pattern likely to emerge in December](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3677) - December 8, 2015 - Daniel Swain - A dry autumn in California...as anticipated September, October, and November were pretty dry months across most of California. Rain did fall in the north, and the Sierra Nevada did benefit from some relatively modest snows (technically putting us infinitely ahead of last year's snow total to date of...essentially zero). The precipitation deficits accumulated this autumn add #
- [Powerful El Nino likely to bring heavy precipitation—and possible flooding—to California over the next several months](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3607) - November 19, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Summary of recent conditions There continues to be much conversation surrounding the relative lack of major storms in California so far this autumn. Precipitation so far this season has been somewhat below average across the more populated coastal parts of the state, although very early Sierra Nevada snowpack numbers are actually looking pretty good at #
- [Dry start to autumn in California, but near-record strength El Niño still on track to bring a wet winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3566) - October 28, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Very warm, mostly dry...except for some record-breaking localized downpours. And the drought goes on... It has certainly been a summer and early autumn for the record books all across California, but for very different reasons in different parts of the state. Record warmth has plagued nearly the entire state, while oppressive and truly uncharacteristic humidity rivaling #
- [El Niño now among strongest in modern history; unusually warm and unsettled conditions persist in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3527) - October 8, 2015 - Daniel Swain - All-time record warmth despite Southern California rain It has been a relentlessly warm year across essentially all of California. Not only is 2015 California’s warmest year on record to date (beating the previous record set all the way back in 2014), but the details of the persistently elevated temperatures have been particularly oppressive. Heatwaves have #
- [Remarkable warm-season precipitation event headed for Southern California; Powerful El Niño right on track](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3478) - September 19, 2015 - Daniel Swain - A very strange summer in California 2015 has brought some of the strangest California warm season weather conditions in recent memory. A significant portion of this can be attributed to a combination of El Niño and more generalized (but even more extraordinary) warmth in North Pacific Ocean. Two major and extremely unusual warm season precipitation events--one #
- [Record-strength El Niño likely to bring wet winter to California in midst of worst drought on record](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3405) - September 2, 2015 - Daniel Swain - The big picture: trends in the tropical Pacific Ocean The tropical Pacific has taken a decidedly circuitous path over the past several years toward its present extraordinary warmth. Until 2014, persistent and increasingly anomalous warmth in the tropical West Pacific Ocean (near Indonesia) had been in place for the better part of two decades—not coincidentally #
- [California fire season explodes with a new lightning outbreak on the way; El Niño strengthening as expected](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3323) - August 4, 2015 - Daniel Swain - A remarkably active California summer Summer 2015 has thus far featured remarkably active and unusual weather conditions across most of California. Quite a few waves of monsoonal moisture have brought intense mountain and desert thunderstorm activity, some of which has locally made it into the coastal plain and Central Valley. By far the most notable event #
- [Very strong El Niño likely during autumn/winter 2015-2016; significant impacts possible in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3277) - July 13, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary: A wet June/July in the Sierra Nevada An unusually active summer weather pattern has continued across much of California over the past couple of weeks. Conditions have been particularly noteworthy in the Sierra Nevada, where widespread thunderstorms have brought an impressive array of torrential downpours, large and accumulating hail, and even (at #
- [Prolonged period of West Coast heat and thunderstorms; wildfire risk soars](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3228) - June 25, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary California experienced a cooler-than-average May in 2015--becoming the first month with below average temperatures in many months. However, those comfortably cool spring temperatures are now long gone, and June has turned out to be a very warm month across nearly the entire state. Several heat waves have brought very hot temperatures at #
- [El Niño has arrived in the tropical Pacific, but what are the implications for California's record-breaking drought?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3172) - June 3, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary California experienced yet another dry and record-warm winter in 2014-2015. The spring months, however, have been notably different in many places: May 2015 was the first cooler-than-average month in well over a year for the state as a whole. In the Bay Area, in particular, May was a notably chilly month--by some metrics, #
- [As California's record-setting drought persists, El Niño is rapidly intensifying in the tropical Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3124) - May 10, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather conditions As has been the case with much of the 2014-2015 "wet season" in California, the past month has brought a decidedly mixed arrangement of weather conditions. The past 30 days have been substantially drier than usual nearly everywhere, though there have been a few localized, notable exceptions. Convective activity (especially over the #
- [April showers to bring welcome moisture in the midst of California's record-setting, multi-year drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3057) - April 4, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather summary This section will be very short: the past 2-4 weeks have been extraordinarily warm and dry throughout California, and entirely uncharacteristic of late winter. Once again, a persistent region of high pressure (The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge, Redux) has prevailed across the northeastern Pacific Ocean.This anomalous ridge shifted the jet stream and associated storm #
- [On the heels of warmest winter in California history, no sign of March Miracle this year](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2995) - March 8, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Conditions across the state of California have varied wildly in recent weeks. While temperatures have in general been far above average--and precipitation well below what would be typical for late winter--a handful of localized but rather remarkable weather events have taken place. An accumulating blanket of small hail blanketed the shoreline at Huntington Beach, #
- [The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge Returns; typical winter conditions still nowhere to be found in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2947) - February 16, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Summary of recent conditions Well, it has certainly been warm out there. Record warmth, in fact, has occurred on most days so far this calendar year somewhere in the state of California. A veritable February heatwave occurred over the recent holiday weekend, bringing record highs from the Mexican border all the way up to Oregon. And #
- [After another extraordinary mid-winter dry spell, major atmospheric river to soak NorCal later this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2905) - February 1, 2015 - Daniel Swain - An exceptionally dry January...once again. California has experienced some serious "weather whiplash" over the past several months. Extremely dry conditions heading into the early fall months gave way to a relatively brief ~2 week period of extremely heavy precipitation throughout much of coastal Northern California in early December, shattering local calendar date rainfall records in #
- [A new year, a new ridge: dry and warm conditions return to California, but how does the present pattern compare to last year's?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2853) - January 17, 2015 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Weather conditions over the past two months have varied wildly throughout California.Extremely heavy precipitation and unusually warm conditions in early December in the northern/central coastal regions gave way to very cold and mostly dry conditions around the new year (though not dry enough to preclude some remarkable low elevation snowfall in the #
- [Windy and cold weather on the way, with low elevation snow possible in SoCal, then a dry and cold start to the new year](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2827) - December 29, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary After an extremely wet December across much of Northern California, the latter half of the month has been quite dry. Precipitation during the first few days of the month was so significant, however, that despite an ongoing short-term dry spell, December 2014 will still go down in the record books as among the #
- [Much-needed rains return to California (and there's more to come), but severe long-term drought continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2801) - December 14, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent storm recap A very impressive winter storm brought widespread heavy rainfall to most of California last week. A strong and moist atmospheric river--with a corridor of enhanced moisture transport extending all the way southwest to the Hawaiian Islands--occurred in conjunction with a rapidly-deepening surface low pressure area off the far NorCal coast, bringing a #
- [Powerful, potentially damaging storm to bring very heavy rainfall and high winds to Northern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2779) - December 8, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Summary of recent conditions This section will be very brief, as the main focus of this post is the imminent very strong storm system slated to affect most of California later this week. Over the past week or so, significant and locally heavy precipitation has fallen across most of California. Soils in many parts of #
- [Active weather pattern on tap for California; high uncertainty remains regarding precipitation amounts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/2020) - November 27, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Overview of recent conditions Despite the arrival of substantial early-season rainfall across the far northern portions of the state in recent weeks, nearly all of California has experienced much drier than normal conditions thus far this fall. In fact, some of the traditionally wetter parts of northern and central California have missed out on nearly 5-10 #
- [A dry start to autumn for most of California as amplified North American pattern continues; Prospects for rain murky](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1967) - November 14, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Extreme atmospheric wave pattern returns to North America A rather extraordinary sequence of atmospheric events has unfolded over the Pacific Ocean and across adjacent North America over the past week or so. The current pattern is strongly reminiscent of the extremely high amplitude wave pattern that dominated most of winter 2013-2014 and the latter half #
- [Substantial early-season storm system to bring much-needed rain to California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1949) - October 30, 2014 - Daniel Swain - This will be a very brief update, but given the tremendous interest in the ongoing and extraordinary California drought and the imminent arrival of the most significant widespread precipitation event in many months, a quick summary follows below. A rather significant storm system is approaching the Northern California coastline this evening, and will bring widespread #
- [Early-season storm for NorCal this weekend; extraordinary drought continues, but pattern different from last year](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1916) - October 24, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather summary This will be a rather brief update, and will focus on the projected arrival of a modest early-season Pacific storm system on Saturday. Recently, widespread significant (and occasionally heavy) rainfall has fallen across most of the Pacific Northwest and more recently across the far northwestern corner of California. The North Coast region has #
- [Shift to more unsettled weather pattern across Northern California, but no major rain events on horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1897) - October 13, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather summary Warm, dry, and occasionally windy conditions have been the rule across most of California over the past two weeks. While California is certainly no stranger to early fall heat waves--in fact, coastal parts of the state are famous for them--the early part of October was remarkably warm even by local standards. A #
- [Special update: The Extraordinary California Drought of 2013-2014: Character, Context, and the Role of Climate Change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1797) - September 29, 2014 - Daniel Swain - A note from the author This special update is a little different from what I typically post on the California Weather Blog. In the paragraphs below, I discuss results from and context for a study that my colleagues and I recently published in a special issue of the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (Swain et #
- [Some September rain for parts of Northern California, but no sign of a wet fall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1832) - September 23, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather recap While the weather in Northern California has been relatively unremarkable over the past couple of weeks, this was definitely not the case in Southern California. One of the most intense heatwaves in recent memory baked the Southland for an extended period of time, and was accompanied a impressively humid airmass (it certainly #
- [California's drought very unlikely to improve in short term; thoughts about the upcoming winter rainy season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1756) - August 31, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather summary The weather in California has been relatively uneventful over the past few weeks. Periodic thunderstorm activity has continued to affect mainly inland desert and mountain areas, mostly in the southern part of the state. Hurricane Marie--once a formidable category five storm in the eastern Pacific ocean--brought pretty clouds (but also damaging surf conditions) #
- [Major lightning outbreak/fire weather event likely in California, part of very active summer monsoon in 2014](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1709) - August 10, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Short-term outlook: NorCal lightning outbreak likely California's very active summer pattern (see below) is set to continue over the next few days. As of Sunday afternoon, a well-defined cutoff low had set up shop about 150 miles northwest of San Francisco. This low--which is rather deep for the late-summer months--has actually begun to retrograde (move back westward) while sending #
- [An overview of California's ongoing and extraordinary drought: a tale of exceptional dryness and record warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1658) - July 20, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Event narrative Droughts historically have a way of sneaking up on California, and the extraordinary 2012-2014 drought has been no exception. Year-to-year and even season-to-season rainfall variability is quite high in this part of the world, which means that it's nearly impossible to know whether a single dry year (or season) portends the beginning of #
- [Update on the North American Monsoon and active California summer weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1631) - July 19, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Quick summary of recent conditions An active monsoonal pattern over the past 1-2 weeks has brought some active summer weather to California's mountain and desert regions. Strong (to even severe) thunderstorms have occurred nearly daily over parts of the California interior, bringing locally intense downpours and resulting in some minor flash flooding in a few highly #
- [Hot, dry summer continues in California; severe fire season looms; El Niño update](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1594) - July 6, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Overview of recent conditions In many ways, the weather over the past few weeks has been pretty typical of early summer in California. It's been hot in the inland valleys, and not so hot near the coast, with a sharp gradient in between. Conditions have been largely dry, though an increasingly moist monsoonal flow has #
- [California's record-warmest year worsens exceptional drought; El Niño continues to develop in Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1569) - June 22, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Summary of recent weather conditions The past couple of weeks have been warm and dry across nearly the entire state. While no widespread major heat waves occurred, certain regions (particularly in the Sacramento Valley) did set new daily record highs on a couple of occasions since my last post, and most other regions have averaged #
- [Rainy season ends in California; exceptional drought continues to intensify](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1531) - June 1, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Overview of recent weather conditions April and May were very dry months for much of California. In most of the major population centers, little or no measurable precipitation occurred during the entire month of May. Occasional thunderstorms did bring highly localized downpours --mostly confined to the Sierra Nevada mountains--but overall precipitation was well below average for #
- [Special update on El Niño 2014: Recent observations, forecasts, and potential impacts in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1493) - May 14, 2014 - Daniel Swain - One of the few things growing more rapidly than the Eastern Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies in recent weeks has been media speculation regarding the future evolution of El Niño conditions in the equatorial Pacific Ocean and potential meteorological impacts upon various regions around the globe. Given the recent explosion in interest regarding El Niño and its #
- [Record-breaking May heat and extreme fire weather conditions prevails; Ridiculously Resilient Ridge Returns?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1474) - May 13, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Special Note Today's blog update consists of two separate posts. The present post addresses short-term weather concerns (including the record-breaking heatwave/offshore wind event), and a second post later this evening will address the impending El Niño event (and its possible impacts in California) in greater detail. Ongoing California heatwave and extreme fire weather event The #
- [California's dry season has arrived; March toward El Niño continues in Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1414) - May 5, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Summary of Recent Weather Conditions California's meager rainy season of 2013-2014 experienced its last gasp in late April. Modest rainfall (and mountain snowfall) occurred on April 25th, though outside of a few localized downpours overall precipitation totals were not particularly noteworthy. Over the past ten days, strong high pressure associated with a high-amplitude 500mb ridge developed #
- [Some late-season precipitation headed for California; Evolution toward El Niño continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1349) - April 20, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Overview of recent conditions: exceptional drought continues Warm and dry conditions have been the rule across California over the past two weeks, with the exception of a few high-mountain springtime thunderstorms fueled by weak atmospheric disturbances and moisture from melting of the meager Sierra Nevada snowpack. The recent rate of loss of snow water equivalent (SWE) in the Sierra Nevada #
- [California's rainy season winds down and severe drought remains; El Nino conditions developing rapidly in Tropical Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1312) - April 6, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Drought update A notable amount of late-season precipitation fell throughout much of California during late March and early April. Given how dry winter 2013-2014 has been overall, this early-spring rain and snowfall--while not heavy by the standards of a more typical winter--represents a substantial fraction of all the precipitation that accumulated during the current Water #
- [Modest late-season rain headed for California; powerful El Nino event may be brewing in the Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1282) - March 23, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Unusually warm and dry conditions--which have been prevalent throughout California for the past 15 months (with a couple of major, if brief, exceptions)--have once again been the dominant feature of our weather over the past couple of weeks. Occasional record-high temperatures and far-below-normal precipitation have been observed across most of the state #
- [The extraordinary California dry spell continues: 2013 will probably be the driest year on record](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1021) - December 13, 2013 - Daniel Swain - Recent weather summary An extremely cold (but also quite dry) storm system originating over Western Canada brought long-duration hard freezes to most regions and some snowfall to very low elevations in parts of Northern California late last week (including flurries on the beaches near Eureka and very substantial snowfall in Redding around 500 ft AMSL #
- [The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge continues into 2014; California drought intensifies](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1085) - January 11, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Extraordinarily dry conditions have persisted over the entire state of California since early December. In fact, nearly the only measurable precipitation that fell during the past 30-40 days occurred today, when a rapidly decaying cold front brought light to locally moderate rainfall (and snowfall in the high Sierra) to the far northern #
- [Ridiculously Resilient Ridge continues to shatter records, but pattern shift may be approaching](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1114) - January 25, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Current weather summary Exceptionally warm, dry, and stable weather conditions have prevailed over California since early December. Precipitation totals over the past 40-60 days have been near zero across most of the state of California, with only very light precipitation observed in the north. Various observing sites have now surpassed their previous all-time records for #
- [A comparison of California's extreme 2013 dry spell to the 1976-1977 drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1038) - December 22, 2013 - Daniel Swain - Current weather summary A weak cut-off low pressure system brought some convective shower activity to parts of Southern California earlier this week, and a few locations received rather heavy (if brief) downpours. Unfortunately, overall precipitation was very insignificant for a late-December weather system in California and most places north of Santa Barbara saw no precipitation #
- [Rain returns to California as Ridiculously Resilient Ridge retreats; cautious optimism for February?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1162) - February 2, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Over the past few days most of California has experienced an atmospheric phenomenon not experienced in quite some time: measurable rain and snow has fallen across much of the state for the first time since early December. Two systems have moved through the state over the past week--the first dropped significant precipitation #
- [Significant atmospheric river to bring heavy rain to Northern California this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1188) - February 6, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Special Update: heavy precipitation makes at least a brief return to N. California Given the ongoing extreme drought conditions and the potential for a high-impact rain event in Northern California over the next 72 hours, I've provided the following (brief) update in the interest of keeping up with the rapidly changing weather pattern. Atmospheric #
- [Northern California rain at times this week; amplified North Pacific ridge to return?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1207) - February 13, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Summary of recent atmospheric river precipitation event (Feb. 7-9) A significant atmospheric river event affected much of Northern California this past weekend, bringing widespread precipitation and a fairly narrow band of impressively heavy rainfall extending from the coastal mountains north of San Francisco to the northeastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada. In this region of enhanced #
- [Strong storm headed for California this week; compelling signs of developing El Nino, but will the RRR return in the meantime?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1229) - February 23, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Unusually dry and warm conditions have returned to California over the past week. In the wake of the atmospheric river event two weeks ago, high pressure built back over the far eastern Pacific and has acted to deflect most storm activity to the north of California, which is a pattern very reminiscent of #
- [California enters extended dry period once again as high pressure builds; summer-like temperatures by mid-March](https://weatherwest.com/archives/1261) - March 9, 2014 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary Active weather finally did return to the Golden State over the past several weeks. A handful of storm systems, driven by the first major easterly incursion of the low-latitude Pacific jet stream in over a year, brought substantial precipitation to essentially the entire drought region. One of these storms in particular was #
- [Major Arctic outbreak across the Western United States; rare Central Valley snowfall possible](https://weatherwest.com/archives/995) - December 1, 2013 - Daniel Swain - 12/5/2013 Update regarding low elevation snow potential The ongoing Arctic outbreak across the western United States is still on track to allow for exceptionally low snow levels in California later Friday into Saturday across all of Northern California. Precipitation will begin on the North Coast during the daytime and spread southeastward towards the Bay Area #
- [Prospects for a wet November are dashed; exceptionally dry conditions continue in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/942) - November 9, 2013 - Daniel Swain - For a little while last week, numerical model forecasts were suggesting a very strong possibility of significant rainfall and storminess along the West Coast of North America, including California, beginning late this weekend. This projected major pattern change was driven by a high-amplitude flow pattern over the Central Pacific, which would have allowed a deep #
- [An overview of the extraordinary and ongoing California dry spell](https://weatherwest.com/archives/954) - November 14, 2013 - Daniel Swain - Drought in California: an quick overview California is no stranger to drought. Periods of low precipitation show up throughout the historical record--some lasting only a single winter season (most notably 1976-1977), and others lasting the better part of a decade (for example, 1928-1935). Reconstructions of California climate suggest that meteorological droughts lasting multiple decades are #
- [Recent rain welcome, but not nearly enough: more dry weather on tap](https://weatherwest.com/archives/981) - November 24, 2013 - Daniel Swain - Recent Weather Summary The weather system that affected the entire state of California last week ended up being somewhat more impressive than initially anticipated. Despite the overall lack of strong dynamic forcing, some cold air aloft and a locally sharp frontal boundary ended up producing some heavy convective precipitation over a fairly wide swath of #
- [California drought continues; few prospects for short-term relief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/930) - October 22, 2013 - Daniel Swain - Dry and drier still: a story of persistent atmospheric ridging It has been a very dry couple of years across the state of California. With the major exception of the December 2012 deluge in the northern part of the state--which (along with aggressive water management strategies) is largely responsible for the modest water reserves that #
- [Significant Northern California thunderstorm outbreak likely this week; long-term drought intensifies across the American West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/913) - August 17, 2013 - Daniel Swain - NorCal thunderstorm outbreak likely this week; significant fire weather concerns An unusually active August weather pattern will bring thunderstorms to northern and central California this week. A quasi-stationary cut-off low pressure area, currently centered several hundred miles southwest of San Francisco, will deepen somewhat over the next few days. While the low itself is relatively #
- [Active monsoon pattern this week; drought intensifies in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/905) - July 20, 2013 - Daniel Swain - The prevailing pattern over California has been rather active thus far this summer, and that trend appears likely to continue for the foreseeable future. A very active summer monsoonal surge is ongoing over the Desert Southwest this weekend, with intense thunderstorms and significant flash flooding taking place in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. #
- [Intense and record-breaking heat wave to continue across the West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/892) - July 1, 2013 - Daniel Swain - After a period of unseasonably moist and unsettled conditions across the West (including California) last week, the entire western third of the North America is currently in the midst of a very intense and record-breaking heat wave. Daily and June monthly high temperature records have already been exceeded by very wide margins in numerous locations #
- [Very unusual summer storm in Northern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/883) - June 22, 2013 - Daniel Swain - After a winter "wet season" that left much of California high and dry, a dramatic and very unusual early summer pattern change is unfolding over the Eastern Pacific that will bring significant rainfall to most of Northern California this week. June rainfall in California, especially the northern part of the state, is not itself extremely #
- [Unsettled conditions after and unseasonably early hot and dry spell](https://weatherwest.com/archives/875) - May 4, 2013 - Daniel Swain - What a strange winter it has been here in California! Intense December rains in the northern part of the state tapered off by the end of the calendar year, and our usually well-defined rainy season simply hasn't returned since. NorCal has set numerous new records for minimum precipitation over various intervals since January--including, assuming provisional #
- [Unsettled pattern for the end of the month; large precip deficits persist](https://weatherwest.com/archives/868) - March 24, 2013 - Daniel Swain - The extraordinary mid-winter dry spell in California continues this weekend. Most parts of the state have seen only very light precipitation thus far in 2013. For much of NorCal (and especially the Bay Area), January-February 2013 was the driest early-winter interval on record. While late November and early December 2012 brought very heavy precipitation to #
- [Quick-hitting but potent cold storm for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/862) - February 18, 2013 - Daniel Swain - After a remarkably quiescent period for all of January and much of February thus far, a brief interlude of active weather this week will being an assortment of unusual and notable weather conditions to a majority of the state. A small but very cold low is currently dropping southward off the U.S. Pacific coast and #
- [Sudden shift to a very cold pattern over California!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/853) - January 9, 2013 - Daniel Swain - After a modestly long quiescent period after December's major storm activity in California, a major shift in the jet stream is bringing a drastically colder airmass to California. Temperatures at 850 mb that approached 15 C today have already dropped below 0 C over NorCal as of late evening, and will continue to fall through #
- [Active weather pattern to continue across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/846) - December 16, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Overview Winter has gotten off to a pretty active start across much of California. A series of major storms--including an impressive atmospheric river event--brought some flooding to Norcal at the beginning of December, but fortunately a longwave pattern shift brought an end to the persistent heavy rains and prevented some of the more serious hydrological #
- [Major atmospheric river event underway; widespread flooding possible](https://weatherwest.com/archives/840) - November 29, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Overview November in California is certainly going to close on a very active note! A very moist and persistent atmospheric river, coupled with two powerful storm systems over the coming weekend, will produce extremely heavy precipitation over a wide swath of Northern California from the Bay Area all the way up to the Oregon border. #
- [Major storms approaching California; significant flooding possible](https://weatherwest.com/archives/832) - November 27, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Overview A dramatic change to an extremely active weather pattern is currently unfolding over the Eastern Pacific. The first in a series of powerful storm systems will approach the California coast tonight, bringing a brief period of heavy rain, high winds, and possibly thunderstorms Wednesday morning. Additional storms will continue to slam into the coast #
- [Big storms on the way for Norcal!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/826) - November 25, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Overview After 1-2 year lull in powerful winter storm activity across California, a series of very strong storm systems will come ashore this week and bring widespread heavy rainfall and strong winds to the northern half of the state. There remains a considerable amount of uncertainty regarding the exact location and magnitude of rain and #
- [Winter off to a respectable start in California; Big storm possible next weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/819) - November 11, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Hello all! I apologize for the lack of blog updates over the past few months. Now that we've entered the traditionally active season for California weather, I hope to have more regular updates moving forward. Climate Summary Fall thus far has been pretty typical for much of the state. Weak systems started bringing precipitation to #
- [Some late-season rainfall in store for the entire state](https://weatherwest.com/archives/809) - April 22, 2012 - Daniel Swain - It has been an odd rainy season this year in California. Things got off to an early start in October, but rainfall and overall storm activity over the far Eastern Pacific dropped off dramatically during the traditionally wet months of November through February. Since approximately the end of February, however, storms returned to the state #
- [Rain, for a change: very cold and wet pattern for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/803) - March 12, 2012 - Daniel Swain - The very long-anticipated--and nervously hoped for--pattern change has finally arrived. After nearly a full winter of extremely dry and stable conditions over California, particularly the northern half, an extended period of cold, wet, and unsettled weather is finally headed toward the state. The first in a series of storm systems is currently moving onto the #
- [The "non-winter" of 2011-2012 continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/796) - February 21, 2012 - Daniel Swain - As has been case for the entirety of the traditional "wet season" thus far, California continues to experience very dry conditions. Though the length of absolutely dry periods has decreased in recent weeks, the dry spells have been punctuated only by brief periods of light or very light precipitation (with a couple of highly localized #
- [NorCal deep freeze on Tuesday; rain returns on Wednesday: winter has finally arrived in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/787) - January 16, 2012 - Daniel Swain - Well, it does certainly appear that the remarkably quiescent and dry weather pattern that has persisted nearly throughout California since November is finally coming to an end. After more than two months of extremely dry conditions during what is normally the height of the rainy season, nearly the entire state has accumulated some truly impressive #
- [California's very dry winter to continue through the first half of Jaunary](https://weatherwest.com/archives/773) - January 2, 2012 - Daniel Swain - One of the defining characteristics of California's Mediterranean climate are its well-defined wet and dry seasons--corresponding to meteorological winter and summer, respectively. One can almost always expect a bone-dry summer outside of occasional summer thunderstorms in the higher mountains, and increasingly heavy winter rains and mountain snows beginning some time during the late fall or #
- [Unusually dry and windy conditions to continue across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/764) - December 3, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Much of the fall has been very dry across large portions of California, and what precipitation did fall came relatively early in the season and was generally not sufficient to generate meaningful runoff. The past week has seen one of the most powerful Santa Ana/offshore flow wind events in recent memory, with reports of widespread #
- [Strong early-season storm for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/761) - October 4, 2011 - Daniel Swain - An unusually strong (for October, in any case) Gulf of Alaska storm system is currently moving ashore in Northern California. The associated 500 mb trough is remarkably well-defined for such an early-season storm, and a powerful 130 kt jet is currently rounding the base of the trough off of the NorCal coast this evening. Strong #
- [Cutoff low to bring thunderstorms, extreme fire weather to much of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/755) - September 9, 2011 - Daniel Swain - After what has thus far been a remarkably quiet summer in California, a significant and potentially very noticeable pattern change is currently underway. A Rex Block has developed over the far Eastern Pacific and the West Coast over the past day or so, forced (at least in part) by blocking induced by the remnants of #
- [A revamped Weather West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/716) - August 17, 2011 - Daniel Swain - First, I just wanted to thank everyone for sticking with the site through this period of transition! The extended downtime was frustrating for me as well, but ultimately the changes that have been implemented will make the site easier to maintain and navigate. As many of you have already noticed, the URL of the California #
- [The blog is back!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/717) - August 15, 2011 - Daniel Swain - After an extended delay, I've finally gotten the backed-up database installed and all old blog content has been successfully restored. All your old comments (and username/password combinations) should have been restored as well! I still need to make some tweaks and additions to the site, but the present version is now a stable one, so #
- [Blog moving today](https://weatherwest.com/archives/702) - July 26, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Hello, The blog is moving today and if all goes well should be ready by tonight. Stay tuned... #
- [Update #2 on site hack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/700) - June 17, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Hello all, A very busy schedule and further technical setbacks have prevented me from working more on the site since it was originally compromised a couple of months ago. I will at some point this summer have the blog back up and running with occasional updates. I still plan to move the blog to the #
- [Update on site hack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/697) - May 3, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Just wanted to give a quick update regarding the recent site hack and extensive downtime...I will try to have a weather update soon, but I still need to bring most of the site back up. I had been contemplating some major changes anyway...this just makes the decision a bit easier. In any case...thanks for your #
- [Major California storm this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/693) - March 19, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update today due to time constraints... A rapidly-developing and very impressive storm system is currently centered several hundred miles southwest of San Francisco. As the surface low continues to undergo rapid deepening over the next 12 hours, I expect this system to be even more impressive when it moves ashore overnight Saturday #
- [Test post](https://weatherwest.com/archives/690) - March 17, 2011 - Daniel Swain - This post is a test...trying to resolve some technical problems with the site. Hopefully I'll be able to update regarding the active pattern shaping up for California... embed[44:36:99 weatherwest-test-m] #
- [Very cold with possible low elevation snow this week!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/681) - February 21, 2011 - Daniel Swain - Despite the fact that it's already late February, which is relatively late in the context of "meteorological winter", the pattern which appears to be setting up for the remainder of the week across the West Coast is an extremely cold one. A very strong, soon-to-be 1045 mb high over the Gulf of Alaska lies at #
- [Very cold and stormy weather over California ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/674) - February 16, 2011 - Daniel Swain - After an impressively long quiescent weather period over the entire state of California, a much more active pattern has returned to the Eastern Pacific. A significant cold front moved overhead yesterday into last night over NorCal and is continuing to progress southward into to SoCal this morning. More impressive than sensible weather associated with the #
- [More rain for California this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/660) - December 26, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The "atmospheric river/Pineapple Express" event of the past week brought some very impressive rainfall to southern portions of the state. Precipitation totals in excess of 25 inches were measured at a couple of gauges on south-facing slopes in the Transverse Ranges, and even the lowands of SoCal saw storm totals of 8 to 12 inches. #
- [Mid-winter dry spell to continue across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/667) - January 17, 2011 - Daniel Swain - The past couple of weeks have been very uneventful across nearly the entire state. A stagnant pattern combined with a pretty strong low-level temperature inversion has led to very persistent Central Valley fog for nearly two weeks straight. Temperatures under the fog have moderated considerably since last week, when highs near Sacramento did not make #
- [*Major rain event in progress; significant flooding possible in Southern California*](https://weatherwest.com/archives/650) - December 19, 2010 - Daniel Swain - California is currently in the midst of an impressive multi-day precipitation event. A precipitable water plume of over 1.65 inches, originating from the Central Pacific southwest of the Hawaiian Islands is being dragged over central and southern portions of the state. A strong jet steam aloft has coupled with a strong low-level jet to provide #
- [Potentially very wet pattern on the way for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/646) - December 12, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Much of November and the early part of December has been punctuated by near-normal precipitation but rather turbulent temperature fluctuations. Thanksgiving week saw an unseasonably cold outbreak of Arctic air overspread much of the state, while much of Southern California currently basks in record-high temperatures in the 70s and 80s. No notable major storms, however, #
- [Very cold, strong early-season storm for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/636) - November 18, 2010 - Daniel Swain - After yet another multi-week quiescent lull across most of California, a drastic change in the prevailing pattern is now literally on the horizon. A deep trough and associated low pressure area are digging very sharply south from the Gulf of Alaska, and a highly meridional jet stream will bring some reinforcing cold air from the #
- [A wet week ahead for Northern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/616) - October 23, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Winter, it seems, has very quickly arrived on our doorstep. A quick look at recent satellite imagery indicates a very active jet stream and an associated tropical moisture plume stretching all the way back to Asia. This early-season breakthrough of the westerly jet over the far Eastern Pacific is at least partially due to the #
- [Another wet cutoff low for CA; winter begins in earnest before the end of October?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/607) - October 16, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Hello, folks. I do apologize for the most recent gap between posts--things have been rather crazy around here lately. It has been a wild few weeks of weather across the state, especially in Southern California. We went from one of the coldest summers ever to experiencing some of the hottest temperatures temperatures ever recorded in #
- [Strong La Nina conditions likely to affect California during fall and winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/589) - September 22, 2010 - Daniel Swain - 2010-2011 Fall/Winter Outlook La Nina conditions have been developing since early summer 2010, and negative sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTs) have continued to increase almost continuously since then. Further intensification of the present La Nina event is likely over the next 1-3 months. Given the magnitude and early onset of La Nina conditions across the #
- [Fall tidings: early showers and an intensifying La Nina](https://weatherwest.com/archives/576) - September 7, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Even as far as summers go in this part of the world, this one has been pretty quiescent as far as the weather is concerned. Though there were a couple of fairly intense heat events, they were very short-lived, and did not produce widespread record-breaking heat. Much of the summer has, in fact, been well #
- [Brief but rather intense heat wave for California; dramatic pattern change in the works](https://weatherwest.com/archives/571) - August 22, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The weather has become notably more interesting over the past week across the state of California. A significant (albeit brief) heat event is unfolding across the state and is expected to peak on Tuesday into Wednesday. Inland areas will see temperatures well above 100 degrees, with 90s even relatively close to the coast, and some #
- [An unusually cool summer continues over California; long-term prospects interesting](https://weatherwest.com/archives/556) - August 16, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Summer 2010 has been a very cool one over much of California, especially along the coast where marine stratus has been rather extraordinarily persistent. Monsoonal surges have been tough to come by, though some very moisture-rich air has been residing over northern Mexico and Arizona for much of July and August thus far. After a #
- [Typical mid-summer weather to continue across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/552) - July 22, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The weather this summer has thus far been very normal--with a few minor heatwaves, and a couple of moderate monsoonal moisture surges. More of the same is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, with no large heatwaves nor any significant subtropical moisture surges on the horizon. Flow is generally southerly or even a bit #
- [More typical July weather to return to CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/549) - July 10, 2010 - Daniel Swain - After an unusually (record-breaking, actually) cool and cloud period in Southern California over the past couple of weeks, more seasonable conditions are rapidly returning. A weak upper-level low off the CA coast has led to moderately strong southeasterly flow across the state, bringing in warmer and moister air and acting to suppress the very tenacious #
- [Seasonably warm and dry statewide for foreseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/542) - June 13, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update today. Summer finally did arrive in California after an unusually late start. Temperatures, in fact, are presently above seasonal averages. Strong dry northerly winds brought adiabatic warming to much of interior NorCal over the past few days, bringing windy, dry, and hot conditions. The winds will die down and temperatures will #
- [Showery and unstable weather for California next 72 hours; seasonable weather to return over the weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/537) - May 25, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Today's system in Northern California was nothing especially impressive...except that it occurred during the last week in May. Over an inch of rain fell in parts of the coastal mountains, and nearly all of NorCal received at least a tenth to quarter inch. Snow did fall in the Sierras today, as well, though freezing levels #
- [Rather impressive cold and active late-May pattern developing](https://weatherwest.com/archives/526) - May 19, 2010 - Daniel Swain - After what has already been a rather unusual weather year in California, winter is refusing to give up on the state of California. A highly anomalous deep and cold low pressure area is developing over the far eastern Pacific Ocean and will gradually move south over the next few days, bringing very cool temperatures for #
- [Unseasonably active pattern to continue for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/521) - May 15, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The trend of unseasonably active weather over California will continue this week. Several storm systems will move into the state in the coming days, bringing precipitation and unseasonably cool conditions to much of the state. [ad#post-ad-w] The first system, due in on Monday, does appear to have something of a subtropical moisture tap. In addition, #
- [Seasonable springtime pattern over CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/516) - May 10, 2010 - Daniel Swain - After an unseasonably cold and winter-like storm brought rain, wind, thunderstorms, and low snow levels to NorCal today, dry and much warmer conditions will develop statewide by later tomorrow and persist for the foreseeable future. Actually...at the moment...it does appear that mild and dry weather will continue statewide for at least 7-10 days. The GFS #
- [Active April weather pattern to continue after warm weekend interlude](https://weatherwest.com/archives/512) - April 23, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Our track record of unusually active weather across the state of California this spring is set to continue through at least the end of the month. Warm and dry conditions have developed in the wake of the departing upper low, and these seasonably warm (and perhaps even somewhat above average) temperatures will persist into Sunday #
- [Major springtime convective event across California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/509) - April 19, 2010 - Daniel Swain - This will be a relatively short update this evening, but the incoming storm system is quite impressive. Major cloud top cooling and enhancement is noted on satellite imagery in a region of strong divergence aloft ahead of the incoming low pressure area. Heavy rain is developing along a strong cold front just west of the #
- [Unseasonably strong April storm, then active weather pattern to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/500) - April 11, 2010 - Daniel Swain - It appears that the wet season in California will be bookended by two unseasonably strong storms (the earlier one being the extratropical remnants of Typhoon Melor in October, and the latter one is due in tomorrow). Northern California will have been affected more significantly by both of these than Southern California, but the entire state #
- [Strong storm in NorCal; warmer week ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/496) - April 4, 2010 - Daniel Swain - A strong storm is currently moving across Northern California. This is a very dynamic storm and has some very cold air associated with the low. Snow was reported at very low elevations along the far North Coast this afternoon, including at the Arcata-Eureka airport (which is only 200 feet above sea level). Heavy rainfall and #
- [Very active weather in California this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/487) - March 29, 2010 - Daniel Swain - March, despite being a rather quiescent month weather-wise in the state of California, will end on a very active note. A major pattern change is already beginning to impact far northern California this evening, with light rain beginning to spread south from the North Coast. Mostly light rain will continue to spread as far south #
- [Unsettled spring weather on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/481) - March 23, 2010 - Daniel Swain - California has experienced a long March quiescent period over the past couple of weeks--not at all an unusual occurrence. Over the coming week, the strong ridge over the West Coast will begin to break down and increasingly unsettled weather will begin to overspread much or all of the state by early next week. By Wednesday #
- [Friday storm in NorCal; spring springs in earnest this weekend.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/475) - March 11, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The pattern lately has been unsettled across much of the state. Tomorrow's storm in NorCal, however, will likely be the last for some time anywhere in the state. The storm slated for Friday is actually quite strong dynamically speaking, and does have the potential to produce a pretty intense/squally frontal band. Moisture, however, is lacking, #
- [Cold and wet week ahead for California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/469) - February 28, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday's system brought a considerable amount of convective activity to much of California, especially southern parts. There wasn't really any severe weather, but many cells did contain small hail/lightning through the day. An even more impressive duo of cold convective storms will impact the entire state later this upcoming week, though... The first storm, due #
- [Storm still on track for Friday](https://weatherwest.com/archives/460) - February 25, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The strong storm system is still on track to impact much of California Friday into Saturday. Impacts in Southern California may be a bit more significant than previously estimated. This update is mainly to showcase a rather spectacular visible satellite imagery loop from today (imagery from the NRL): [ad#post-ad-w] STORM UPDATE: 2/26 The storm is #
- [Strong storm for Northern California; active pattern continues statewide](https://weatherwest.com/archives/455) - February 25, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Our midweek did bring a nice soaking rain to much of Northern California, with lesser amounts in the south. The system currently taking shape over the Eastern Pacific, however, appears to be significantly stronger. Recent infrared and water vapor satellite imagery indicates a moist plume interacting with a strong cold front, and a substantial amount #
- [An active weather pattern for most of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/449) - February 19, 2010 - Daniel Swain - A cut-off low pressure area is currently approaching Southern California. Rainfall over land has been sparse indeed thus far, though this will probably change from about Santa Barbara southward as the night progresses. Cooling cloud tops on infrared satellite imagery indicates that some convection is ongoing, but there does not (at this time) appear to #
- [Warm and dry weather to end by this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/444) - February 16, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The weather over the holiday weekend was nothing short of spectacular across the entire state of California. Mild temperatures occurred statewide--as warm as the low 80s in parts of Southern California and well into the 60s even for foothill location in the northern part of the state. Warm and dry conditions will continue for at #
- [Dry and mild weather for California; pattern change, though, already on horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/439) - February 12, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Mild and dry weather has already begun across much of the state of California. Outside of a few light showers at times in the far north this week, dry and rather warm conditions will continue through most of the coming week. Coastal Southern California may approach 80 degrees or so, while interior northern California will #
- [Cut-off low for California to bring showers and thunderstorms; calmer weather to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/435) - February 7, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The system that moved through late Friday into Saturday across California did bring a great deal more precipitation than expected across some parts of Southern California. Convective elements within and ahead of the cold frontal precipitation band brought some very high rainfall rates to the recent burn areas near Los Angeles (especially La Canada and #
- [Rainy week ahead for much of California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/426) - January 31, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Now that all the excitement of mid-January has calmed down substantially, we seem to have entered into a more moderately active pattern over the West Coast. While a fairly strong Pacific jet will remain not too far off the coast for the next week or more, its orientation is simply not favorable for bringing major #
- [Record-breaking storms winding down; some wet weather this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/413) - January 22, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The stormy pattern that has been in place for the past week across California and much of the southwestern United States was record-breaking in some rather surprising ways. The series of very strong storms brought widespread heavy rainfall and strong winds to the entire state, with prodigious snowfall over higher elevations (and some appreciable snow #
- [*Strong thunderstorms next 24 hours in Southern California*](https://weatherwest.com/archives/406) - January 21, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Quick update this evening. This extended storm event is not over yet for Southern California. Though all major frontal boundaries have already moved through, a vast area of vigorous open cellular cumulus cloudiness is being directed into the southern half of the state from the west. With a nearly 200kt jet overhead, a nearly saturated #
- [*Intense storms track through California; worst yet to come*](https://weatherwest.com/archives/403) - January 19, 2010 - Daniel Swain - A very brief update today.The second in the series of major storms is currently moving through Northern California, bringing very heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms containing powerful wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, torrential downpours, and some hail. Flash flooding and wind damage are threats with this cold front. The frontal band will slam into #
- [*Very stormy pattern for California; flooding possible*](https://weatherwest.com/archives/396) - January 15, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The long-advertised major shift to a much more active pattern over the far West Coast has arrived. Storms are lining up off the coast, and a powerful 200+ kt zonal jet will slam into California beginning Sunday and persisting for all of the coming week (at least). There are strong indications that precipitation may be #
- [Regarding the devastating earthquake in Haiti: a brief message](https://weatherwest.com/archives/391) - January 14, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Partners in Health Partners in Health, a Boston-based nonprofit health care organization, is uniquely positioned to provide rapid and effective medical aid to those in southwestern Haiti in the wake of the recent massive earthquake near Port-au-Prince. Contributions made now will go towards the immediate procurement of desperately needed medical supplies. Though numerous international aid #
- [*Very stormy period developing for all of California; potential for major flooding*](https://weatherwest.com/archives/386) - January 12, 2010 - Daniel Swain - Anyone who ever said that winter weather in California was boring has never experienced a pattern like the one we're headed for over the next several weeks. After a very prolonged period of benign and mostly dry weather across the entire state brought about by an anomalously and almost bizarrely persistent high-latitude block for much #
- [Major pattern change: finally in the works?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/381) - January 8, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The Northern Hemisphere has been experiencing a very unusual, highly-amplified flow pattern over the past two months. Record-breaking cold and unprecedented snow events have occurred over all of the Northern Hemisphere continents during this period, with particularly notable cold outbreaks over the eastern 2/3 of the continental United States, nearly all of Europe, and much #
- [Dry weather to continue; strange climate pattern persists](https://weatherwest.com/archives/374) - January 2, 2010 - Daniel Swain - The decade ended on a very quiet note weather-wise in the state of California. Despite a strong El Nino event in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, the conditions thus far this winter have been rather cold and dry across the state, and especially in the north. Nearly all of NorCal has seen below-median precipitation for the #
- [Some rain early this week, but mostly calm weather prevails](https://weatherwest.com/archives/371) - December 20, 2009 - Daniel Swain - The weather in California has been rather stagnant over the past couple of weeks. Though there has been some precipitation, there have been no major storms and there are none on the horizon at the moment. Tule fog has been the rule in the Central Valley, a telltale sign of midwinter meteorological inactivity. There is #
- [Wet weather on tap: some heavy rain, wind, and thunderstorms possible](https://weatherwest.com/archives/361) - December 10, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After an interesting weather week, including very low elevation snowfall in Northern California followed by record-breaking cold and a strong storm in the San Diego area, a much moister and wetter pattern has developed across the entire state. A disorganized by moist and somewhat unstable system is currently moving ashore, bringing areas of rain and #
- [***Record snowfall likely in Central Valley tomorrow***](https://weatherwest.com/archives/358) - December 6, 2009 - Daniel Swain - This will be a very brief update as I am swamped at the moment, but this event deserves special attention. All the ingredients have come together for a band of significant snowfall in the Sacramento region for much of tomorrow. Accumulations on the Valley floor up to around 4 inches are possible, which would be #
- [Low elevation snowfall NorCal; flooding rains SoCal, then a statewide storm midweek](https://weatherwest.com/archives/352) - December 4, 2009 - Daniel Swain - An active weather week is in store for the whole state, folks. The details of the pattern shift after about day 4 is still highly uncertain, but there is plenty to talk about regarding the next 84 hours... A very high amplitude blocking pattern has been directing the Pacific jet well north into the Alaskan #
- [Lots of rain, wind for all of California next week; maybe a low snow event, too?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/350) - December 2, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After an extended quiescent period over California, a dramatic and sudden change in the weather is in the works. This huge pattern shift is being driven by an active MJO signal in the West Pacific and the remnants of former Supertyphoon Nida, which are currently being absorbed by the westerlies. The models have been struggling #
- [Potentially warm and very wet or very cold and unsettled weather, or both? ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/346) - November 29, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Quick update tonight. The numerical models are starting to come into agreement that a major change in the prevailing weather pattern will occur by day 7. The GFS has a simultaneous incursion of the subtropical jet and an extremely deep retrogressive cold low over the PacNW by day 7, bringing extremely cold and unsettled conditions #
- [Quick-hitting storm; Major change to more active weather in the works?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/331) - November 27, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A rather small but potentially significant trough has pinched off into a cutoff low near the far NorCal coast this afternoon. This cutoff low will slide south along the CA coast today, bringing marginally unstable conditions and the potential for some scatted showers and isolated thunderstorms virtually statewide over the next 24 hours. Snow levels #
- [Quiet weather continues in CA; an appeal for publicity](https://weatherwest.com/archives/328) - November 23, 2009 - Daniel Swain - As has been noted frequently in recent weeks, this fall has thus far been a remarkably uneventful season (with the major exception of the the record-breaking October storm in NorCal generated by the remnants of Cyclone Melor). While there are no specific indications of any significant change in the prevailing pattern, there are signs that #
- [Colder and wetter week ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/326) - November 15, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a long quiescent period since the record-breaking October storm, much of California stands to see substantial rainfall and much cooler temperatures this week. Two storm systems from the Gulf of Alaska will approach the state beginning late in the day on Tuesday. The first system is unlikely to bring significant precipitation, and it may #
- [El Nino ripping; MJO active](https://weatherwest.com/archives/318) - November 9, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well...there is actually a considerable amount to discuss at the moment. First things first, the upcoming week: A parade of relatively weak systems will affect CA this week, mainly the northern part of the state. Since air aloft will become progressively colder through the weekend, some precipitation will become convective by Wednesday or Thursday, and #
- [Quiet weather this week; El Nino ramping up](https://weatherwest.com/archives/312) - November 7, 2009 - Daniel Swain - The weather this week will be uneventful across the entire state, with only a few chances of light precipitation in NorCal around midweek. Far more interesting is the current state of the equatorial Eastern Pacific. El Nino--which had, until the beginning of October, been appearing to falter--has recently gotten a huge boost from a major #
- [Uneventful fall weather for a while](https://weatherwest.com/archives/310) - October 30, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After significant promise of an early start to the rainy season in CA, the patten has reverted to a very dry and stable one over the Eastern Pacific. Though NorCal has already received several inches of rainfall this fall, nearly all of this fell during that one 24 hour period early in the month during #
- [Cold storm for the upcoming week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/308) - October 24, 2009 - Daniel Swain - This is certainly shaping up to be an active fall in CA. Another strong storm system is becoming increasingly likely by the end of the work week, with the potential for significant precipitation and wind once again over NorCal. This storm will also have a much higher potential of bringing measurable rainfall to all of #
- [A more typical October pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/299) - October 18, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a very impressive and record-breaking storm earlier this week, the weather has quieted down considerably over CA. The major exception to that statement is a very localized region near Redding over the past several hours. Some unexpected thunderstorms developed over parts of the Sacramento Valley and foothills today, but one particular (though very isolated) #
- [Big October storm still on track](https://weatherwest.com/archives/297) - October 10, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Somewhat surprisingly, the much-advertised major fall storm is still very much on track. There have been some subtle changes in the models since late in the week, but the screaming headline remains the same: the potential for heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong to very strong winds exists over much of CA early this #
- [Melor remnants to bring major (record-breaking) CA storm?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/294) - October 7, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, if you had asked me yesterday, I would have guessed that this potential event would already be in the early stages of fizzling out before it even started. Such is the tendency of early-season storms in this part of the world. At least for the time being, however, the event slated for early next #
- [Windy weather week ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/291) - October 2, 2009 - Daniel Swain - The anticipated cool-down and transition to a period of cooler and windy weather has begun. The culprit--a deep and slightly retrogressive low north of CA, will slide south over the Sierras over the next 48 hours and eventually pinch off coastal SoCal. This will bring very windy conditions--and serious fire weather concerns--to much of CA. #
- [Dramatic change on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/288) - September 27, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a couple of weeks of relatively benign (if hot) weather, a dramatic change is in store for much of the state. After a weekend of triple-digit heat over much of interior CA, highs even in far-inland parts of NorCal will struggle to reach 75 by Tuesday. The culprit behind this dramatic change in the #
- [Late-season heat wave on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/286) - September 18, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A rather impressive late-September heat wave will envelop all of CA by Monday. An unseasonably strong high pressure are will build in from the Desert Southwest in the coming days, bringing very warm to hot temperatures to much of CA. Highs will not be extremely high, but in many warmer places will probably eclipse the #
- [Quick weather update](https://weatherwest.com/archives/283) - September 11, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick weather update this evening--more will follow this weekend. After a quiescent period across the state of California, the weather pattern over the Eastern Pacific will become decidedly more active over the coming week. Most obviously, a rather large upper-level low is currently spinning far SW of the CA coast. This low has #
- [Software update](https://weatherwest.com/archives/280) - September 10, 2009 - Daniel Swain - The Wordpress software was just updated...manually. Fortunately, it appears that all old and posts and comments survived intact, which is more than I expected. For most users, there will be relatively little different in website experience, but it will be easier to post, there will be more options for uploading media, and the comments feature #
- [A spectacular near-miss](https://weatherwest.com/archives/279) - August 28, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A very late-night update (this morning?). The remnants of former Tropical Storm Ignacio have been caught up in the deep southerly flow ahead of an unseasonably strong trough off the West Coast. Widespread deep convective activity (like I have never seen this time of year) over the ocean has been ongoing both in the tropical #
- [Big monsoonal push?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/278) - August 19, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a very quick update this evening. The models have suddenly begun to indicate a major monsoonal surge into CA this weekend, especially in SoCal. Very high PW values are progged to overspread all of Southern California and even creep as far north as the Sacramento Valley and Bay Area by Saturday. All areas south #
- [Fires burn statewide; warm week ahead, but nothing dramatic](https://weatherwest.com/archives/277) - August 15, 2009 - Daniel Swain - It has been awhile since the last significant update on Weather West because...well...very little has been going on weatherwise in the state. Wildfire activity has picked up notably across the state in recent days, and there are a number of notable fires in northern and central California at this time. Weather over the weekend will #
- [Unseasonably deep low to bring active NorCal weather this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/276) - August 4, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A remarkably deep cutoff low for the month of August has been churning off the CA coast for several days now. The low is beginning to elongate a bit along a SW/NE axis as a strong jet streak rounds the base of the trough. There has been periodic thunderstorm activity associated with the low over #
- [Deep upper-level low brings unseasonable weather this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/275) - August 2, 2009 - Daniel Swain - This will be another brief update today. A deep upper-level cutoff low is currently positioned off the Central California coast and has been producing episodes of very impressive elevated thunderstorm activity across interior NorCal and southern Oregon. Severe storms have occurred at times, and as many as 200 new wildfire starts have occurred in the #
- [Heat tapers off--unusually deep cutoff low?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/274) - July 27, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Very brief update this evening. The models have changed their tune dramatically since last week. Instead of a memorable heat wave, the present warm period is transitioning into a much cooler one with fairly unsettled conditions. The GFS--which has been the most aggressive with the depth of the cutoff thus far--has continued to trend deeper, #
- [Tropical moisture, very hot SoCal; new heat wave in a week.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/273) - July 18, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this evening. A glance at the satellite imagery of the E Pac indicates a much more active than usual setup. Moisture from former TS Dolores and from convective complexes over the Sonoran desert is moving up the CA coast and has now reached the Bay Area. Occasional showers and possible thunderstorms #
- [Subtropical moisture threat and a possibly massive heat wave?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/272) - July 15, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, I have to say: this is not turning out to be one of our more boring summers. Temperatures today--though hot--will not be incredible by summer standards. Inland, temperatures are expected to stay rather hot for the foreseeable future--well into August, that is. There are several features of note on a satellite view of the #
- [El Nino as arrived; summer heat to return](https://weatherwest.com/archives/271) - July 10, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, it's now official--the fairly rapid warming in the tropical Pacific ocean over the past three months is of sufficient magnitude and duration to be considered an El Nino (ENSO warm episode) event. Basin-averaged sea surface temperature anomalies are current pegged around 1 degree Celsius, and subsurface anomalies are approaching 4 C in some areas. #
- [Pre-monsoonal surge in SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/270) - June 29, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday was an extremely hot day in the Central Valley, with a number of locations exceeding 110 degrees. Many daily records were set, and more record-breaking heat is possible there today. Yesterday was also hot elsewhere in the state, but fewer records were broken elsewhere. Temperatures are expected to creep down back to seasonal normals #
- [Quiet summer pattern continues; El Nino now a near-certainty](https://weatherwest.com/archives/269) - June 22, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a very active start to the normally meteorologically quiescent month of June, we have now entered a more typical summer regime. Temperatures across the state are relatively cool at the moment, but these are expected to trend towards or even a little above seasonal normals by later this week. The models are currently indicating #
- [Summer storm in SoCal?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/268) - June 14, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a remarkably active early summer period across much of the state, more appears to be on tap. Unlike recent events, however, this system is expected to be focused mainly on southern portions of the state. A fairly potent but rather small cut off low will dive down off the CA coast over the next #
- [Cut-off low brings thunderstorms to CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/267) - June 3, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Much of CA saw thunderstorm activity today. Interestingly, the west side of the Central Valley was just about the only place that did not see any lightning activity today. A number of severe storms did develop today, mainly in the far northern part of the state (though there was one warned cell in the East #
- [Rare June cut-off low still on track for next week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/266) - May 30, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Amazingly enough, the models continue to indicate that a remarkably and unseasonably deep cut-off low will set up shop off the CA coast beginning by Monday. The low already has a very impressive satellite presentation over the Eastern Pacific, though much of the intense convection currently associated with it is expected to weaken as it #
- [Very unusual and potentially very active pattern possible for the first week in June](https://weatherwest.com/archives/265) - May 26, 2009 - Daniel Swain - California has been experiencing an unusually active late-spring period in many eastern mountain areas. Thunderstorms have been nearly a daily occurrence in the Sierras and occasionally the Coastal Range and the Transverse Range. May is usually a quiescent period for most of the state, but some of these mountain thunderstorms have been quite strong and #
- [May heat wave on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/264) - May 13, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this evening. The prevailing pattern has turned much less active than it was for much of April and early May. Seasonably warm temperatures are common in CA, with occasional offshore wind events in favored areas. A large heat ridge will build into CA from the southeast this weekend, bringing hot temperatures #
- [Typical spring pattern for the next week (*updated for photo*)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/262) - May 5, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A series of very moist storm systems brought very impressive May rainfall totals to the North Coast since Friday. Many rivers in far NorCal approached flood stage--even the Merced River in Yosemite Valley reached monitor stage. As much as 8 inches of rain fall in the Shasta County mountains, and with the subtropical nature of #
- [Dramatic pattern change once again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/254) - April 28, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Meteorological spring is traditionally a period of great atmospheric flux, with wide variations in temperatures from day to day and large contrasts between wet and dry periods. Usually, much of California experiences something of a muted spring, with the more rapid oscillations in sensible weather being relegated to more inland parts of the North American #
- [Dramatically cooler and more active next seven days](https://weatherwest.com/archives/253) - April 23, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a very brief update this evening. After a week of record-breaking heat and extreme uncertainty in the models, the upcoming pattern is still looking to be unpredictable, unsettled, and potentially active. Tomorrow, a strong inside slider-type system will pinch off a small cutoff low over NorCal, bringing strong PVA and very unstable conditions to #
- [Record-breaking spring heat; a chance of a significant storm?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/252) - April 20, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, this is certainly panning out to be an interesting weather week for the state. Numerous high temperature records were shattered--in some cases, truly obliterated by 15 degrees--all across the state today, especially in the north. San Francisco hit 92, which is rare at any time of year, let alone April. Parts of the Bay #
- [Unsettled springtime pattern to prevail](https://weatherwest.com/archives/251) - April 6, 2009 - Daniel Swain - A rather impressive cut-off low is currently generating a large cloud shield along and ahead of a cold front about 150 miles off the CA coast. There is significant convective could development near the low center, as well. This low is slowly drifting towards the east/northeast, and the associated cold front will lift across NorCal #
- [Major pattern change again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/250) - April 2, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, it certainly is spring. Warm and dry conditions have prevailed across the state as of late, but do expect these to come to an end by the beginning of next week as a cold cutoff low pressure system arrives on the coast. Tomorrow will likely be a very windy day across parts of the #
- [Bland weather continues--it is nice out there, though...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/249) - March 27, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Rather mild and dry springtime weather prevails across CA. This has been supported by a West Coast ridge of high pressure at the surface and punctuated by a lack of precipitation over the western United States. The prevailing pattern is expect to change little over the next 7-10 days, and so most can expect warm #
- [Quick-hitting but intense cold storm this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/248) - March 19, 2009 - Daniel Swain - It may be hard to believe after all the spring-like weather as of late, but a sudden and rather dramatic (if short-lived) change in the prevailing weather pattern is about to occur. Spring officially begins at 4:44 AM tomorrow, but the first full day of spring (Saturday) will be a great deal more winter-like than #
- [Late-winter dry spell to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/247) - March 11, 2009 - Daniel Swain - After a rather active February in NorCal, the weather has quieted down dramatically. No new precipitation has fallen since last week anywhere in the state, and it does appear that most of the state will stay dry for the foreseeable future. Warm afternoon temperatures will be widespread for the next couple of days and then #
- [Showers and thunderstorms; dry weather to return](https://weatherwest.com/archives/246) - March 3, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, today was a very convective day across NorCal, with significant to severe thunderstorm activity affecting much of the northern half of the state (especially coastal areas). No lightning is currently being reported, and precipitation has reached a bit of a lull at the moment. The low responsible for all of this activity, however, is #
- [Another wet week in NorCal; SoCal showers (?)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/245) - March 1, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well, wet weather has certainly returned to NorCal once again after a few dry days towards the end of the last work week. Generally light to moderate rainfall occurred today, but much of this is already running off given the significant rains as of late. A very impressive-looking subtropical tap is currently streaming onto the #
- [Active late-winter pattern to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/244) - February 25, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Our very welcome wet and active pattern will continue for the foreseeable future. A minor precip event will occur in NorCal overnight tonight and into the day tomorrow, but there will very little weather of significance associated with this system. Our next real weather-maker is slated to arrive over the weekend, and this storm has #
- [Updates; a new storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/243) - February 19, 2009 - Daniel Swain - I do apologize for the paucity of updates lately; a surge of new users has once again taken quite a bit of time to manage (though this is a good thing!) and life in general has been quite busy. I have made some minor changes to the site--mainly color schemes and organization. To those new #
- [Flash flooding in SoCal likely; burn areas at risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/242) - February 15, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Another relatively short update this evening. Our major winter storm has made little eastward progress today with a sharp rainfall gradient from west to east even over NorCal. Right along the coast and in the Santa Cruz mountains, a training line of heavy precipitation and embedded thunderstorms continues to inundate the region. 2-4 inches have #
- [Big storm off the coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/241) - February 14, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Quick update this evening. A powerful storm system is currently situated off the northern CA coast. The parent low is deepening as I type and is expected to bottom out around 992 mb tomorrow afternoon. A very impressive cold front is readily evident on satellite imagery and is moving towards the coast this evening. Cloud #
- [A very active pattern (!) to continue across CA for forseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/240) - February 10, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well--what a difference a week makes. After a seemingly unbroken winter of boring weather patterns and unending dry spells (after two consecutive winters of rather staid weather regimes), we've managed to have severe thunderstorms, a tornado, flash flooding, and sea-level snow in the past 72 hours. Not all parts of the state have been "blessed" #
- [Rain...rain...and more rain? A Fabulous February after all?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/239) - February 5, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Sorry for the delayed update--life just hasn't permitted me to update as frequently as I would like... The first system, after initially looking like it might fall apart once it reached shore, has managed to bring rain to most of the state today, and even some locally heavy rainfall is currently falling around Los Angeles #
- [Rain again in CA; dry again by next week?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/238) - February 3, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Only a quick update tonight to keep that promise I made yesterday... Looks like the first storm is still on track to move slowly inland on Thursday, bringing with it a band of warm rain (with an almost subtropical appearance) on the eastern side. Snow levels will be extremely high, and relatively little precipitation will #
- [Sunny with a good chance of water restrictions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/237) - January 26, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Well...the rain early in the weekend was beneficial for those who saw it...but consider this: even in the areas that saw significant rainfall, 7-day totals (which includes 5 days of bone dry weather) were STILL below normal. And now we're entering another extended dry period--perhaps very extended. 00Z GFS is utterly miserable, with no rain #
- [Rain now; dry again next week.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/236) - January 23, 2009 - Daniel Swain - This has been a confounding pattern to predict more than a few hours out, and even then it has been giving forecasters a fair bit of trouble over the past 48 hours. Significant rainfall did occur over parts of Central California--including the Sacramento Valley and the southern Sierra foothills. As much as 2 inches of #
- [Extraordinary uncertainty abounds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/235) - January 19, 2009 - Daniel Swain - California continues to bask under unseasonably warm and dry conditions this holiday weekend. I do expect another 48 hours of warm and dry weather before the prevailing pattern does begin to change on Wednesday. What is extraordinarily uncertain, however, is how this pattern change will manifest itself. The models--the GFS in particular--have been literally all #
- [At a critical juncture, uncertainty abounds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/234) - January 16, 2009 - Daniel Swain - The water situation in the state of California continues to become more serious with each passing dry day. This January warm and dry spell has been remarkable, and I do expect a couple more days of record highs in some areas before the pattern does begin to change. The nature of this pattern change, though, #
- [Extremely dry January to continue; a change on the horizon?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/233) - January 13, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday saw dozens of record high temperature records shattered across the Bay Area and interior part of NorCal. Some places exceeded their old daily records by nearly 20 degrees--Santa Rosa hit 86 degrees, which compares to an old record of 68. Today was very warm once again, with widespread highs in the 60s and 70s #
- [Mid-winter dry spell to continue to forseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/232) - January 7, 2009 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this afternoon. Conditions have been relatively dry statewide over the past week, with only far NorCal seeing any significant precipitation (and even there, 7 day totals are below average for this normally very wet time of year). There will be a weak system tomorrow in NorCal that will probably produce wlight #
- [Generally wet and cold weather to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/227) - December 16, 2008 - Daniel Swain - An even briefer update this evening. Frozen precip fell to very low elevations in NorCal today and will fall to very low elevations in SoCal tonight. I expect the Antelope Valley, in particular, to see half a foot or more of snow overnight. Convection will continue to be a concern with this cold low, and #
- [Re-developing La Nina and negative PNA: bad news for CA?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/231) - December 30, 2008 - Daniel Swain - After a period of cold and unsettled weather across CA, the weather has become rather stagnant. Some heavy rain did fall over extreme NorCal--near the Oregon border, mountain slopes saw more than 7 inches over a 48 hours period. Some light showers persist over the far north and will continue through the rest of the #
- [Christmas storm for CA, then a drying trend...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/230) - December 23, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The weather across CA has remained unsettled but not overly wet over the past week. After the low snow event of last week, temperatures aloft and at the surface have moderated, and it is now seasonably cool across the state. A quick look at satellite imagery shows a rapidly-developing storm system about 700 miles west #
- [Very brief (and snowy!) update tonight...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/226) - December 15, 2008 - Daniel Swain - This system has met or exceeded all expectations--in terms of heavy SoCal rainfall, significant thunderstorm activity, and even very low snow levels. Although shower activity has decreased substantially across most of the state from its peak this PM, more showers and isolated thunderstorms will redevelop mainly over or near coastal areas by the early morning #
- [Winter blast for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/225) - December 12, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Brief update today. Summary: Cold and unstable with low snow levels days 2-5. Possible deep freeze and local sea-level flurries days 5-9. Large uncertainty beyond day 2. The initial cold front is currently moving across far NorCal as expected, and will usher in dramatically colder conditions over the next 24 hours. Showers will begin increasing #
- [Dramatic change in the weather for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/224) - December 10, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A rather sudden and significant change in the prevailing weather pattern is currently in store for the entire state of CA. After weeks of dry and rather bland weather in NorCal (though with some admittedly significant precipitation in SoCal), winter is about to make itself known throughout the West. A powerful cold front will blast #
- [Big change on the way?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/223) - December 7, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quick update today: Tule fog continues in the Central Valley and probably will persist for the rest of the week. SoCal will see a chance of some shower activity or even a thunderstorm through tomorrow as a result of a pesky cutoff in the region, but do not expect any significant precipitation outside of very #
- [Cold and foggy Central Valley, dry and boring on the coast; possible change?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/222) - December 5, 2008 - Daniel Swain - It has been uncomfortably cold and damp lately in the Sacramento Valley, with daily fog (often extremely dense Tule fog, which makes for extremely dangerous driving conditions). Overnight temps have also been steadily decreasing and last night fell to around freezing in some locales. Tonight will probably be the coldest right for a while around #
- [Blocking reigns supreme; no rain in sight.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/221) - December 3, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this evening. Well, now even the minimal chance of rain for SoCal has all but evaporated. That low looks impressive on satellite, but the ground truth confirms that there just isn't anything associated with it. Tropical moisture is not expected to be entrained by southerly flow on the east side of #
- [A rather dry "wet-season" pattern continues...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/220) - November 30, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Last week's storm did manage to bring some thunderstorms and widespread moderate to heavy rainfall over coastal SoCal, with over 1-2 inches measured in the majority of locations. This is great news for local aquifers and those hoping for some free car washing, but unfortunately the more northern parts of the state--where water levels in #
- [Active weather for SoCal; NorCal mostly dry for forseeable future...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/219) - November 24, 2008 - Daniel Swain - There finally seems to be a consensus building about the track and evolution of the cut-off low currently 800 miles southwest of CA. This low is rather large, and is drawing a stream of very moist subtropical air from a strong subtropical disturbance located 500 miles west of Baja CA. This subtropical moisture will have #
- [Some sort of pattern change in the offing--flip a coin or three?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/218) - November 21, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Well, in terms of the sensible weather, very little has changed since my last update. Varying degrees of offshore flow have persisted across CA for the past few weeks, and for the most part (and outside of the far north coast), there has been no rainfall whatsoever since the fairly significant NorCal deluge during the #
- [Very warm to record-breaking Nov. temps](https://weatherwest.com/archives/217) - November 13, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The next 48 hours will feature anomalously warm weather across the state of CA. Record highs are expected to fall, especially in the Bay Area, where local downsloping winds may heat PM temps well into the 80s. The Central Valley will be cooler, with highs generally in the mid to upper 70s, as cold air #
- [Some rain today; no big storms for the next week or so.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/216) - November 8, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Today's relatively weak system will bring some moist and unstable air to the northern third of the state, and this will lead to some isolated thunderstorms over the North Coast, the Sacramento Valley, and possibly the Bay Area. Rainfall outside of very isolated convective cores and away from the north coast, though, will be light #
- [Wet pattern here for a while?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/215) - October 31, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday's system and the extensive associated subtropical moisture plume did, indeed, generate thunderstorm activity over various parts of the state, including SoCal, the Bay Area, and the Central Valley. Rainfall was fairly widespread but rather light--locally more than 0.50 inches in the far north, and generally under 0.25 inches everywhere else. Scattered showers continue this #
- [Major storm for NorCal; rain for all?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/214) - October 29, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Today will be the last day of generally clear, warm, and comfortable fall weather across the state for a while. Quite evident in infrared satellite imagery is a very impressive-looking mass of enhanced clouds stretching far to the west and south, with its tail well to the west of the Hawaiian Islands. This incoming series #
- [Major pattern change coming; most significant effects in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/213) - October 27, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Today was a rather odd weather day, with extensive mid and upper-level cloudiness over much of the state. Despite the impressive appearance on satellite, this cloud band in the diffluent east side of the upper low is not producing any precip that is reaching the ground, save for maybe a sprinkle or two near the #
- [Very interesting pattern ahead for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/212) - October 25, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this evening. The GFS and other models are beginning to come to an agreement that a major pattern shift will occur over the next five days, most likely in response to the rapidly-eastward propagating MJO in the Pacific. Here's the synoptic setup and the possible conequences: A weak cutoff low will #
- [MJO-related pattern change on the way...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/211) - October 24, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Very warm--even locally record-breaking--temperatures are occuring throughout California today and will continue for the next few days. Fire danger will be high as occasional dry north winds develop in favored reass. All of this warm and dry weather, though, will probably be a memory by this time next week. In the interm, a fairly weak low #
- [Typical fall pattern continues; possible "October Surprise"](https://weatherwest.com/archives/210) - October 20, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Our very standard fall pattern--of warm afternoons and cool mornings, with occasional dry wind events and dampened heat waves interespersed--continues this week. Temperatures will be coolest today and will increase going into the weekend, potentially rising above normal levels (near 90 in warmer inland areas). All in all, there is very little of interest over #
- [Unseasonably cold and deep cutoff low](https://weatherwest.com/archives/209) - October 8, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A very unusually strong and cold inside slider-type low pressure are will cause a very noticable change in teh weather across CA thsi week. Although precipitation appears to be extremely unlikely except possibly some scattered snow showers over the Sierras due to the dry overland track of the system, everyone will see very gusty winds #
- [Significant early-season storm still on track](https://weatherwest.com/archives/208) - October 3, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quick update today. The long-advertised storm is currently making its way onshore in NorCal. Model projections have diminished the intensity of the system somewhat from the rather aggressive initial predictions, but I nonetheless expect some unseasonably significant rainfall totals (in excess of 2 inches in a few spots) and the possibility of some isolated thunderstorms #
- [Major pattern change on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/207) - September 30, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A quick update this evening. After a rather interesting weather day yesterday, today was much calmer if much warmer in many locations once the moisture and clouds cleared away. CA will see another two days of warm and dry weather before a major Pacific storm barrels into the state from the northwest. The latest GFS, #
- [Thunderstorms likely in some areas today; active early fall week ahead.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/206) - September 29, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Well, it turns out that the GFS charts from a few days ago were correct after all. A fairly weak circulation off the coast (essentially a lone vorticity mximum) has succeeded in deepening the mid and upper-level moisture sufficiently over CA that elevated convection has been developing for the past six hours. Scattered thunderstorms have #
- [Typical late-summer and early fall conditions, then a possible change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/205) - September 21, 2008 - Daniel Swain - An early-fall trough has contributed to cooler-than average tepmeratures and some localized light precipiation in NorCal over the past 48 hours, but the vast majority of areas did experience a return to sunny skies and seasonable temperatures today. This trend back towards climatological norms will continue this week, and inland highs may actually surpass normal #
- [Fall not far off in CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/204) - September 17, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A brief update is in order this evening. A side note: the Seasonal Outlook will be completed by this coming Sunday, and likely by Friday afternoon. Thank you for being patient. A significant change in the long -prevailing slate summertime pattern will occur this week. Yesterday, some mid-level moisture and dynamics in NorCal led to #
- [Ike may be worst U.S. disaster in decades](https://weatherwest.com/archives/203) - September 12, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Has has strengthened some overnight, and will probably become a catecory 3 storm by landfall. Ike is no ordinary category 2 storm--it has a surge more reminiscent of a strong category 5 storm, and is coming into the Galveston Bay area at the worst possible angle. The government of Texas--both at the state and local level--really #
- [Ike threatens disaster on a large scale; CA weather may become more interesting](https://weatherwest.com/archives/202) - September 11, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Hurricane Ike has now been a named storm for well over a week. It's path--beginning 300 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands and passing south of the Bahamas as a powerful category 4 hurricane, then crossing over eastern Cuba and re-emerging in the Gulf of Mexico after a second transit over land west of #
- [Hot and dry CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/201) - September 4, 2008 - Daniel Swain - I apologize for the lack of updates lately--quite frankly, the weather in California has been seriously monotonous. Much above normal temperatures and low moisture levels continue to plague CA, especially the northern 2/3 of the state. Even San Francisco proper hit 93 this afternoon, and most inland locales were in the triple digits. Weak offshore #
- [Extreme fire weather NorCal; Gustav a potential catastrophe](https://weatherwest.com/archives/200) - August 30, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Last week's heat has subsided over CA and temperatures are very near to climatological norms. An unseasonbly strong trough and associated dry cold front are currently moving to wards CA from the N/NW and will move over NorCal tomorrow. Behind the front--cold air advection aloft will bring about unstable and windy conditions to the northern #
- [NorCal heat to ease; attention shifts to Atlantic Ocean](https://weatherwest.com/archives/199) - August 28, 2008 - Daniel Swain - As NorCal continues to swelter under hot and in some place record-breaking temperatures (locally as high as 110-115 in the northern Sac. Valley and 110 in the inland parts of the Bay Area), SoCal remains typically warm. The current heat and weak offshore flow will revert to a more onshore pattern this weekend, and cooler #
- [Who says CA weather in the summer isn't interesting?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/198) - August 15, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A particularly strange and rare event has unfolded over the past 24 hours off of the southern and central California coast. A complex of strong to severe thunderstorms developed over the near-shore waters off of Los Angeles County yesterday evening and moved northwest through the night, affecting immediate coastal areas and producing one of the #
- [Period of dull weather; long-term potential](https://weatherwest.com/archives/197) - August 6, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday's monsoonal incursion into Northern California did manage to bring localized light shower activity. Lightning was reported along the Napa/Yolo County line (upwards of 500 strikes) and in the northern Sacramento Valley (along with a few isolated strikes in the northwestern interior). A number of wildfires/brushfires were started by these mostly dry strikes, but nearly #
- [Brief but significant monsoonal surge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/196) - August 4, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quick update this afternoon. The poorly-modeled monsoonal surge (but aren't they all?) is already underway, with flash flooding already having been reported in Twentynine Palms and more thunderstorms popping elsewhere. Tuesday/Wednesday will be the main days for shower/thunderstorm potential, and due to the very high PWs as high as 1.75 inches flash flooding will probably #
- [A return; bland weather but a dangerous fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/195) - July 27, 2008 - Daniel Swain - I am now back in the States and fully able to begin discussing California weather once again. I do have some weather and weather-related photos from southern Africa that will be posted on the main Weather West site in the near future. Locally in California, the weather is currently very typical of mid-summer. Temperatures are #
- [SoCal heat wave; a leave of absence](https://weatherwest.com/archives/194) - June 18, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Today will be a hot one in the Southland--highs well in excess of 100 degrees in typically hot locations inland and even aproaching 100 degrees on the coast. The hot weather will extend into NorCal, though it won't be quite so intense there--near 100 in the Central Valley and favored coastal valleys and 80s-90s most everywhere #
- [Bland weather returns](https://weatherwest.com/archives/193) - May 29, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quick update today...the locally dramaitc and exciting weather of the last week is now behind us, and a rather more typical pattern of widespread sunshine (outside of coastal morning low clouds) and moderate temperatures (mid 50s to mid 70s on the coast, 75-90 inland). Mountain showers and thunderstorms will still be an isolated issue over #
- [Dramatic severe weather in SoCal today; more to come?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/192) - May 22, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A very impressive severe thunderstorm outbreak took place in Southern California today. These storms were not confined to favored mountain and desert areas, but even produced severe weather near the beach. The retrograding cutoff initiated some strong instability (via cold temps aloft and wildly steep lapse rates) and a west-moving boundary of some sort initiated #
- [Unusual late-spring cutoff to bring interesting weather this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/191) - May 21, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A sharp upper trough is bringing strong and gusty winds to much of the state today, with some areas seeing gusts in excess of 50 mph. Winds will actually continue to increase in some areas and will remain gusty and occasionally strong through Friday. The initial cold front brought 2 lines of thunderstorms to the #
- [Record-breaking May heat wave fades away; dramatic change to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/190) - May 19, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The heat wave that occurred over the past week was truly impressive across most of CA. On the first day of the warm event, when a strong offshore gradient kept winds very breezy overnight and contributed to unprecedented compressional heating in the western Sac. Valley and parts of the Bay Area, leading to overnight "minimum" #
- [Big heat wave for CA; a profusion of international natural disasters in May](https://weatherwest.com/archives/189) - May 12, 2008 - Daniel Swain - An impressive heat wave is on the way fro CA. We will apparently be making the transition between spring and summer in about a 48 hour period starting today. Warm, brezzy, and hazy conditions will exist across NorCal today, and SoCal will see typically warm afternoon temps as well. Tomorrow will be much warmer statewide #
- [Cyclone Nargis devastates Myanmar; death toll staggering](https://weatherwest.com/archives/183) - May 6, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Cyclone Nargis made landfall on May 2nd in the Irrawaddy River Delta region of Myanmar, a densely-populated and exceptionally low-lying area in the far southern part of the country. Details are only just becoming available as a result of the isolation imposed by the oppressive military junta that has controlled the flow of information in #
- [Will spring pass without any rain at all?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/182) - April 29, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Our extremely dry Spring 2008 continues. NorCal did see some very light precip last week in areas, but it was significantly less than expected (suprise) and some locations up here (Davis, for example) have yet to see even 0.01 in. since February. This has not happened in decades...and at a few reporting stations this is #
- [Rain to return to NorCal?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/181) - April 21, 2008 - Daniel Swain - After an exceptionally and record-breaking dry period in February, March, and most of April, a pattern shift may bring some significant spring precipitation tomorrow and Wednesday in NorCal. That retrogressive low pressure pattern that has brought the cold and windy conditions over the past week (and was originally progged to bring some precipitation) is continuing #
- [Cold troughs; the GFS is a liar...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/180) - April 17, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Well, after what had looked originally like a promising late-season cold and convective event this weekend, the scenario has trended towards colder, drier, and windy weather for the weekend and into next week. An unseasonbly deep trough and associated low will bring showers and isolated thunderstorms with very low snow levels to all of WA #
- [Spring is here, and below-normal precipitation will continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/179) - April 3, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday's weak cut off low brought some light rainfall to parts of southern and central California, but almost every place that was lucky enough to see the wet stuff received less than 0.25 inch (and most places didn't tip the bucket at all). In fact, it was a warm and sunny day in Northern California. #
- [Odd pattern for the upcoming week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/178) - March 29, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A couple of weak and very minor system have brought some very light rainfall to parts of NorCal over the past few days, but most places saw no more than 0.05 in. (not enough to cause puddles!). A rather unusual and aclimatological blocking pattern will develop over the far E. Pac. this week, sending two #
- [Unsettled north; typical spring pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/177) - March 22, 2008 - Daniel Swain - I apologize for the lack of updates lately--a combination of rather benign (=boring) weather and a very busy schedule have prevented more regular updates. In any case, the weather still remains rather uneventful this weekend, with early spring warmth statewide (80s in the south, 70s in the north). Warm temperatures will continue for another 48 #
- [Spring-like cold convective system for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/176) - March 14, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A very spring-like cold convective system will impact all of CA over the next 48 hours. Showers and possibly thunderstorms will develop today across NorCal, especially along the coast and in the Central Valley. Cold air aloft is rapidly being advected into the region while sunny AM skies are allowing surface temperatures to rise to #
- [Big changes in the offing for CA weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/175) - March 10, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Several weeks of warm and dry mid-winter weather will come to a rather abrupt end later this week with the arrival of a deep and cold Gulf of Alaska trough on Thursday. In the meantime, however, much of the state will continue to see March highs in the 70s and overnight temperatures only locally dropping #
- [Rather bland pattern for forseeable future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/174) - February 25, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The weekend storm turned out to rather different that expected over much of the state. Locally heavy rainfall did occur in NorCal and wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph did take place in favored locations. Power outages did affect about 200,000 people, but generally in most places wind damage was slight to nonexistent. Given the current #
- [Powerful storm for NorCal this weekend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/173) - February 21, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A fairly weak system today has brought light to locally moderate rainfall over NorCal since this morning, with only a few light showers south of Santa Cruz. More showers are likely over NorCal over the next 24 hours, with possibly a few rumbles of thunder mixed in tomorrow as a vorticity maximum moves ashore. Generally, #
- [Short-lived pattern change over CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/172) - February 18, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The warm and dry weather that has persisted in CA as of late will quickly come to an end over the next 24 hours. A weak area of low pressure is currently generating an area of mid-level clouds over the state, possibly leading to a light shower or two overnight. A splitting system will then #
- [Major pattern change for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/171) - February 16, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Dry and warm weather continues over the state of CA. Thursday's suprise precipitation event in far SoCal notwithstanding (which brought showers and thunderstorms to some coastal areas, areas of heavy precipitation, and a rather impressive dump of snow to the San Diego County mountains, in addition to light snow showers on the valley floor southeast of #
- [Pattern change on horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/170) - February 13, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Dry and rather mild conditions continue across the state today, with some strong winds in the Central Valley and mountain areas due to an inside slider-type system currently dropping into Arizona. Temperatures will rebound once again for the holiday weekend before taking a dive later next week as a more energetic jet stream and associated #
- [Typical winter system this weekend; mostly dry next week!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/169) - February 1, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Several systems have brought rain and cool temperatures to NorCal over the past few days--keeping soils saturated and continuing to build up the snowpack, but not causing any significant problems. A somewhat stronger system will move in later tomorrow, riding a fairly strong dip in the jet stream over NorCal. Widespread moderate precipitation accumulations are expected, with #
- [Cold and unsettled; no big storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/168) - January 27, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Well, today's weather was certainly not what it had been expected to be across Southern California. There were (and still are) a few lines of strong thunderstorms approaching severe limits over the coastal waters, but not to the extent that might have been expected given the powerful large-scale forcing and dynamic instability present (the Severe #
- [**Dangerous Storm for Southern California**](https://weatherwest.com/archives/167) - January 26, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A very interesting and extremely dynamic weather pattern has developed over the far eastern Pacific and will lead to a powerful and unusual storm system over CA over the next 48 hours. A deep and moderately retrogressive cutoff low has continued to spin 700-800 miles west of Los Angeles. The deep southerly flow aloft ahead #
- [Very active but complex pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/166) - January 23, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The forecast for the next few days has undergone a complete transformation over the past 48 hours. No longer are we looking at a moisture-starved, extremely cold inside-slider type system bringing some snow to sea level in CA, but instead a deep and powerful but significantly retrogressive cutoff low off the coast with excessive moisture #
- [Very cold and active pattern to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/165) - January 22, 2008 - Daniel Swain - The last 24 hours have brought significant cold rains to the northern half of the state, and heavy snowfall in places that don't often see it. 8 or more inches of snow has fallen in the Santa Cruz Mountains and in parts of the Diablo Range, with over a foot in parts of the Santa #
- [Very active pattern in CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/164) - January 20, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quite update this evening. A cold upper low is retrograding and deepening over OR tonight and sliding south to offshore NorCal by tomorrow afternoon. Convective precipitation will increase over the next 24 hours across the northern 1/2 of the state along with lowering snow levels into the 1000-1500 foot range. Heavier convective elements could produce #
- [Cold and unsettled week ahead for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/163) - January 19, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A very complicated pattern continues to evolve for the next 7-10 days. A deepening and retrogressive cutoff low is sliding south and slightly westward just inland over OR/WA. This low is dragging some very cold unmodified Arctic air with it, and will bring about a dramatic change in the weather beginning tomorrow in NorCal and #
- [Cutoff for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/162) - January 15, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Quick update this evening. Dry and generally mild weather continues over CA thanks to strong offshore winds resulting from the steep temperature differential between coastal CA and western NV. Powerful gusts will affect mountain peaks across the state for the next few days, and strong breezes will be widespread (leading to chilly overnight and early morning windchill values in some #
- [Dry weather and mild daytime temps this week; much colder next wek?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/161) - January 14, 2008 - Daniel Swain - California has once again entered one of the extended mid-winter dry periods that characterize climate here during the predominantly "wet" season. A strong ridge of high pressure offshore is deflecting all storm activity north into Alaska and Canada, only to swoop back equatorward on the far east side of the blocking pattern over the central #
- [Wind event of the decade in NorCal; dry weather to return](https://weatherwest.com/archives/160) - January 9, 2008 - Daniel Swain - Last week's storm is now a not-so-distant memory--and some in NorCal are still feeling its effects. There are still as many as 10,000 people who have been without power since Thursday night up here, and some streets are only just beginning to be cleared. In terms of wind damage, the Friday storm was certainly the #
- [Worst storm in over a decade in parts of CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/159) - January 2, 2008 - Daniel Swain - A series of major winter storms is approaching California this evening. The first storm will arrive late tonight on the far North Coast and will drop some moderate to heavy rain and produce strong winds mainly across the northern half of the state. Rainfall totals in NorCal with this first system will range from 0.5-1.5 inches #
- [Powerful winter storms to slam CA this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/158) - December 31, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The long-advertised major pattern change for the end of the week still appears to be on track to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to most of the Golden State Thursday into the weekend. The first system will be weakened significantly by the persistent ridge it will dissolve as it moves ashore and upper-level dynamics #
- [Big storms in the offing for all of CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/157) - December 29, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The past 48 hours have been cold and damp over NorCal. Snow did fall to very low elevations in the northern Sacramento Valley--less than 1 inch accumulated at the 300-500 foot elevation near Redding and non-sticking snow did fall to the valley floor (50-200 feet). Up to 2 or 3 inches of snow did manage to fall #
- [Brief low snow event in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/156) - December 26, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The next 36 hours could prove to be rather interesting in parts of NorCal. Strong cold air advection is taking place as a Gulf of Alaska system moves south. Only isolated showers--with snow levels in the 1500-2000 foot range--are currently occuring. 3 PM temperatures near sea level on the north coast are running 38-44, and #
- [Colder weather to move in](https://weatherwest.com/archives/155) - December 23, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Last week's wet weather brought some welcome snowfall in the mountains and soaking rains along the coast. SoCal saw, in general, less rain than NorCal, but some favored mountain areas got quite a bit (upwards of 2-3 inches). The weather over SoCal is currently rather warm due to strong offshore flow--in the 60s and 70s #
- [Rainy week in CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/154) - December 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Several colder systems of varying strength will impact CA over the next week or so. The strongest in the series will begin to move in tomorrow afternoon, bringing significant to locally heavy rainfall in NorCal and very heavy snowfall in the Sierras (2-3.5 feet of it in some places). Strong-ish gusty winds to near 50 #
- [Cold and wet NorCal this week; some rain south?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/153) - December 13, 2007 - Daniel Swain - After a cool/cold and dry week in the north (with the exception of the surprise snow flurries), the weather pattern will become substantially more active next week. A series of cold storm systems originating in the Gulf of Alaska will ride an increasingly zonal jet into NorCal by late weekend, bringing rain, mountain snow, and #
- [Typical winter dry pattern this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/152) - December 9, 2007 - Daniel Swain - This weekend's system behaved differently than the models had indicated that it would earlier in the week. Instead of dropping down the coast in a well-behaved manner, the system moved inland over CA and east from there, preventing a large amount of rain from occurring in SoCal and even much of NorCal. Some locally significant #
- [First winter-like storm of the season for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/151) - December 5, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A system is currently taking shape in the Eastern Pacific that will intensify as it approaches the coast tomorrow. A good moisture tap exists with an old Central Pacific tropical depression, and baroclinic instability will allow the system to spin up pretty quickly before moving ashore in NorCal tomorrow afternoon. Rain will develop with possibly #
- [Significant storm possible for much of CA this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/150) - December 3, 2007 - Daniel Swain - An extremely powerful storm system has been raking the Pacific Northwest with powerful winds, intense rainfall and low elevation snowfall for the past 48 hours. Peak winds exceeded 120 mph in several locations near the coast, leading to widespread damage. 10-12 inch rainfall in less than 24 hours will lead to major flooding on local #
- [Heavy rain in Southern California! Intense windstorm for Pacific Northwest!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/149) - November 30, 2007 - Daniel Swain - An unusual deep low pressure area off of the coast of Baja California is funneling copious tropical moisture over the Southwestern United States. Rain has been falling all morning in SoCal as far north as Santa Barbara. Almost everyone has seen some rain, and totals of over 0.75 inches have been suprisingly widespread. The rain #
- [Quick update](https://weatherwest.com/archives/148) - November 28, 2007 - Daniel Swain - That interesting and rather impressive-looking upper level low currently spinning west of Baja CA is bringing some copious mid and upper-level tropical cloudiness to the southern half of CA. The models indicate that the low will bring significant to heavy precipitation to parts of the Baja Peninsula and possibly Arizona, leaving most of SoCal out #
- [Never-ending SoCal fire season;  hope for a pattern change?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/147) - November 26, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Another major and damaging Santa Ana-driven wildfire occurred this weekend near Malibu. Temperatures were not particularly high with this Santa Ana event, but the low humidities and strong wind gusts in excess of 60 mph were more than enough to fuel the flames. These conditions have since abated, and the weather across the state has #
- [Boring weather continues statewide](https://weatherwest.com/archives/146) - November 18, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A weak system will squeak by NorCal tomorrow morning, bringing some brief light rainfall (0.25 in. or less in most places; locally up to 0.75 in.). SoCal won't see so much as a cloud. After the early week "non-event," offshore flow will develop over CA in response to a cold inside slider type system. Increased #
- [Severe Tropical Cyclone Sidr Threatens Bangladesh](https://weatherwest.com/archives/145) - November 14, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Although it is outside of the normal realm of discussion on this board, the potential magnitude of the impending disaster in Bangladesh merits at least brief mention. Currently a powerful catergory 4 cyclone with sustained winds near 150 mph, the storm is expected to maintain its strength or potentially even strengthen some more before making #
- [Wetter weather NorCal; still mostly dry SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/144) - November 7, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A pattern change still appears to be taking shape across the Eastern Pacific this week. A couple of areas of low pressure in the subtropics between HI and CA have generated a rather significant moisture tap and will make a valiant attempt at advecting a good deal of this mid and upper level moisture into #
- [A pattern change?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/143) - November 5, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The prevailing rex-blocky flow regime that has persisted for some time now in the eastern Pacific and has brought rather warm and dry weather to the West may be beginnning to break down this week. As there always is in dealing with complex blockign patterns, the models are having difficulty resolving mean flow anomalies in #
- [Showery weather from cutoffs NorCal; new Santa Ana event SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/142) - October 28, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The impressive-looking subtropical moisture plume that moved over the middle third of CA yesterday brought little to no precipitation to the area--there were a couple of reports of trace amounts to as much as 0.02 in., but that's not even enough to wet the ground entirely. The dual upper lows responsible for the deep southerly flow #
- [Dry weather continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/141) - October 25, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Fire weather conditions in Southern California have improved somewhat over the last 24 hours. Winds are much lighter and are now blowing onshore (W-E vs. E/NE-W/SW). The onshore wind shift is a mixed blessing, however, as these winds are now pushing the fires into areas not previously under threat. Firefighters should be able to make #
- [Extreme fire weather scenario unfolding in SoCal ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/140) - October 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Quick update today. Beautiful fall weather in the northern half of the state this PM but scorching heat, low humidity and powerful Santa Ana winds are occuring in SoCal. Whittaker Peak has seen a wind gust to 108 mph already. Numerous large and dangerous wildfires have spread across SoCal and northern Mexico this PM...the 4 #
- [And summer returns?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/139) - October 18, 2007 - Daniel Swain - One more winter-like system will move into NorCal tomorrow into Saturday before a late summer- like pattern of warm temperatures and offshore flow develops across the entire state. Moderate rain may fall over parts of NorCal over the next 36 hours, especialli near the coast. Gusty winds will precede the front tomorrow in the Sacramento #
- [Pattern change again to warmer and drier weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/138) - October 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - After some weak systems brought at least some light rain to much of the state (and some significant precipitation did fall in coastal areas of NorCal), a few more weak systems will continue to bring some mainly light rainfall over the next 3-4 days before a less active pattern sets in for the weekend. Some #
- [Active October Pattern Continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/136) - October 11, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update today. A fairly wek cut off low will meander over NorCal tomorrow, bringing some moderate showers and possibly an isolated thunderstorm. Nothing too impressive is expected, however. Rain will probably miss most of SoCal outside of isolated light shower activity. The weekend looks to be really nice statewide as we will #
- [Extremely powerful storm in the eastern Pacific; no threat to land](https://weatherwest.com/archives/134) - October 8, 2007 - Daniel Swain - If the storm system curently undergoing rapid cyclogenesis in the far eastern Pacific were about 500 miles to the east, a historic wind event would be in progress across much of WA and OR. Per the NWS Seattle discussion this PM, "a direct hit wudda been bad." In this case, however, the "meteorological bomb," as #
- [Very active fall pattern shaping up for the West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/133) - October 7, 2007 - Daniel Swain - La Nina may already be having a significant impact on the prevailing jet stream this year. An amplified northerly branch will bring storms ashore much of the Pacific Northwest over the next few weeks, at times including northern CA and eventually S. CA as well. Over the next three days, an almost incredibly deep low #
- [Rather active fall pattern in the Pacific Northwest](https://weatherwest.com/archives/132) - October 3, 2007 - Daniel Swain - As one might expect during a significant La Nina year, the early-season storm track is currently more active than it would normally be this time of year. A very cold system (for this time of year, anyway) is currently dropping down from the Gulf of Alaska and is bringing open-cell convective precipitation to all of #
- [Early fall rainfall in NorCal; typically warm, dry, and occasionally windy weather persists in SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/131) - September 30, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A seasonably weak cold front is currently dragging itself over far NorCal this afternoon, bringing with it gusty winds, cooler air aloft, and some light rainfall. Ths cold front will hold together just long enough to bring some light/very light precipitation to parts of the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley overnight and into the early morning #
- [Fall has most definitely arrived...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/130) - September 28, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The weather has certainly become more fall-like around CA over the past couple of weeks. Weak weather systems have begun to brush the northern part of the state with (increasingly frequent) light rainfall, and the cooling and breezier weather associated with these early-season troughs have reached as far south as Central California. This type of #
- [Typically uneventful fall weather returns to CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/129) - September 25, 2007 - Daniel Swain - After last week's locally dramatic storm, the weather has returned to the docile state in which it often is this time of year. The cutoff ended up bringing some light rainfall (but no thunderstorms) to much of NorCal over the weekend, though not enough to end the fire season in most places. SoCal did see #
- [Late summer storm hovers off SoCal coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/128) - September 20, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The unseasonably deep cutoff low that brought thunderstorms to parts of the Coastal Range and the Sacramento Valley yesterday and light rain to the Bay Area this morning is currently spinning about 400 nautical miles off the CA coastline. The majority of precipitation associated with the low remains offshore at this time, though a few #
- [Very unusual early fall storm to affect CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/127) - September 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - This week's weather across California is about to become very interesting. Models continue to indicate the development of a retrogressive cutoff low moving south over CA to a position off the SoCal coast by the end of the week. This low will be extremely deep for this time of year--500 mb heights will fall to #
- [Very unusual weather in the works for CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/126) - September 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Well, it does finally appear that something genuinely interesting may occur weather-wise in CA. After nearly a year of rather dull and incredibly persistent weather patterns, a significant early-season storm system may affect the entire state next week. Here is the breakdown: The system in question is a cutoff low that is forecast to develop over #
- [Fall is fast-approaching; fire weather concerns persist](https://weatherwest.com/archives/125) - September 14, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The first significant storm system of the year will move into CA next week, bringing windy and cooler conditions but probably little or no rainfall. A rather deep low will become cut-off from the mean flow off of the West Coast, dropping south over CA by the end of next week. Major uncertainties still exist as to #
- [Pre-fall doldrums](https://weatherwest.com/archives/124) - September 5, 2007 - Daniel Swain - All of CA and much of the West is currently locked in the rather stagnant weather pattern that is often a precursor (by a month or so) to the beginning of the fall season. The incredible and deadly heat, humidity and severe thunderstorm activity that has persisted across Southern California for quite a few days #
- [Critical fire weather likely](https://weatherwest.com/archives/123) - August 31, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The last 48 hours have seen quite a bit of thunderstorm activity over the state of CA. Hundreds of lightning strikes occurred as far north as the Monterey Bay Area yesterday, especially over inland areas. Many of these storms actually dropped some rain, but a number of wildfire starts did occur in remote locations. More #
- [Quick update...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/122) - August 30, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Significant convective activity has developed over Santa Barbara County and is moving northwards towards the Bay Area. The upper disturbance associated with this convection is drifting north, and will move over the Bay Area tomorrow. Expect some significant (and potentially strong) tstm activity over interior CentCal and possibly the Bay Area tomorrow. Much of this #
- [Summer begins to show signs of a transition to fall...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/121) - August 28, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Last week's weather excitement in far SoCal and in the Sierras were caused in large part by the remnants of Hurricane Dean. A remnant circulation that was visible on satellite imagery may have been the actual center of circulation that was originally the core of the monster cat. 5 storm, but it's hard to say #
- [Dean remnants=CA moisture?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/120) - August 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - There has been much discussion, ever since the GFS first showed a powerful tropical system making landfall on the eastern Mexican coast, about the possibility that remnant moisture or even a vestigal circulation might survive the trek across the mountainous terrain of interior Mexico and establish itself in the eastern Pacific. It now appears that #
- [Zaca concerns; tropical developments](https://weatherwest.com/archives/119) - August 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The Zaca fire has continued to spread in hot and dry and occasionally windy conditions in Santa Barbara County and has now burned about 140,000 acres. Dense smoke, and some localized falling ash, is widespread across the coastal areas as well as the southern San Joaquin Valley. Hot and dry conditions will moderate only slightly #
- [Fire weather worstens; hurricanes Pacific and Atlantic](https://weatherwest.com/archives/118) - August 12, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The Zaca Fire continues to menace Santa Barbara County as temperatures have risen and humidities dropped in the area. Fire weather will continue to be unfavorable for suppression or control efforts until at least midweek. This week, there will be some northward seepage of monsoonal moisture, but the effect will probably be limited to isolated #
- [Dull CA pattern; fire season heating up inland](https://weatherwest.com/archives/117) - August 6, 2007 - Daniel Swain - While the current weather pattern along the CA coast better  resembles "June Gloom" than the typical heatwaves of August, the fire season across inland areas and more interior states of the West has intensified quite a bit in recent days. Of immediate note is the Zaca Two fire currently burning in Santa Barbara County. The #
- [Stagnant summer pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/116) - July 28, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The weather pattern across the West that has been in place for nearly a month will continue to dominate for the forseeable future.  The anomalously strong and southerly jet that brought record rainfall to coastal WA earlier in the month has weakened and moved north a bit, but is still more active than it usually is #
- [Some monsoonal advances](https://weatherwest.com/archives/115) - July 23, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today's brief monsoonal surge across the West is bringing some showeractivity to the southern 2/3 of CA. Tstorm activity has been limited so far and may remain suppressed by the extensive cloud cover, but some isolated storms may pop up later today as a result of surface heating. Dry thunderstorms are a concern once again #
- [Extremely rare summer "storm" of Pacific origins](https://weatherwest.com/archives/114) - July 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A very unusual pattern is currently shaping up for the northern half of CA and much of OR during the next few days. An unseasonably strong trough and associated cold front is currently approaching the CA coast. A strong vorticity maximum and associated wave is enhancing the southern end of the front, the strongest part #
- [CA thunderstorm outbreak](https://weatherwest.com/archives/113) - July 9, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Well, folks, this is just about as interesting as summer patterns can get around here. A significant upper low off the coast of CA will continue to funnel ample mid and high level subtropical moisture into the region during the next 48 hours. Flow over SoCal will generally be S/SE, trending more easterly as one #
- [Thunderstorms and fire...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/112) - July 6, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Numerous intense yet nearly dry thunderstorms fired up across the mountains of NorCal today. Dozens of new fires have already grown quite a bit in the past 10 hours, and more are likely to pop up overnight. The evening visible satellite loops look quite ominous...with at least 4 distinct large smoke plumes across the state #
- [July heatwave; dry tstm potential](https://weatherwest.com/archives/111) - July 3, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update this evening. A strong Sonoran heat ridge will continue to edvect hot 850 mb temperatures into CA from the SE, bringing 100-110 degree weather to the Central Valley and 125 degree plus heat to Death Valley. Coastal areas won't see a large heatwave with this particular event, as there will still #
- [Live from Barrow, AK](https://weatherwest.com/archives/110) - June 25, 2007 - Daniel Swain - This brief post is straight out of the Arctic--and the norternmost inhabited place in the United States--Barrow, Alaska. Today's high: 36, with some ice fog. A note: the wildfire near Lake Tahoe may continue to grow with high winds on Wednesday. More later. #
- [Monsoon--not too far off?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/109) - June 19, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Typically warm summer weather has been the rule across the West for the past couple of weeks, and I would expect this to continue. Current GFS model runs are indicating a building Sonoran heat ridge over the CA/AZ border area, and such a development is sometimes a precursor to the monsoon or a monsoon-like pattern. #
- [Summer heat has arrived.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/108) - June 13, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today was a hot one across nearly all of the state. Coastal fog was relegated to far SoCal, so even coastal areas got up into the 70s and 80s. Today was the first 95 degree day in San Rafael, and the first 100+ degree day in the Central Valley. The thermometer reached 120 today in #
- [Mountain thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/107) - May 30, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A quick update this evening. Strong thunderstorms continue to fire along the crest of the Sierras this evening, drifting west and weakening over the foothills. Much of the debris cloudiness from this convection is moving westward over the Central Valley and towards the coast. Based on visible satellite and radar imagery, some of these mid #
- [Summer doldrums have set in](https://weatherwest.com/archives/106) - May 27, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our typically persistent summer weather pattern has set in across the Golden state. Morning low clouds and fog along the coast, giving way to sunny skies inland with sesonably warm temperatures (80-90) are a staple of our dry season weather...and these conditions have been prevalent for several weeks now. There have now been several significant #
- [Summer has arrived](https://weatherwest.com/archives/105) - May 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - California's summer weather regime has already taken hold across the state. The weather has been warm inland...and breezy and cool along the coast where a pronounced marine layer has resulted from upwelling in the near-shore Pacific. A summer-like offshore flow event is expected to develop over the weekend ecross the northern half of the state, #
- [Warm and dry statewide](https://weatherwest.com/archives/104) - May 6, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Last week's light precipitation is behind us and a summer-like pattern has developed. Temperatures inland are warm and conditions dry in moderate offshore flow while coastal locations remain cool and occasionally foggy. Inland temps will come down some as the week progresses but 80 to low 90s are still likely in interior valleys. The long-range #
- [NorCal spring showers](https://weatherwest.com/archives/103) - May 2, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A very weak May-like system brought some sprinkles and light showers to NorCal this morning...nothing of any real singificance. Outside of isolated thundershowers in the far north, today's weather was rather unexciting. Tomorrow will be mostly dry in most places, but another disturbance diving down west side of the Gulf of Alaska trough will renew #
- [Spring pattern to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/102) - April 29, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday sure felt like summer across the southwestern United States, with July-like temperatures in inland locations and a surge of thunderstorm activity over AZ and NM reminiscent of a monsoonal pattern. Temperatures will slowly moderate over the next few days as a Gulf of Alaska trough approaches from the NW. The models have been struggling greatly #
- [Typical spring weather ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/101) - April 25, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Last week's rainfall across CA made some beneficial contributions to the Sierra snowpack and helped to extend the natural growing season in lower elevations. The first system was more impressive in SoCal; the second brought more rain to NorCal. Despite widespread late-season totals of 0.5-1.5 inches statewide, however, precip defecits are still at record levels #
- [Actual rain this week?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/100) - April 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - It does appear that some wetting rains are likely across the state over the next few weeks. Many places have seen only sprinkles or light showers during the past 1-3 months, and have received only a few inches of rain over the entire winter. This week's relatively widespread and significant precipitation will, therefore, be particularly #
- [April showers; dry end to the month?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/99) - April 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The synoptic situation will become increasingly active over the next few days over CA and the western United States. This past weekend's system brought some wetting rains to much of the state and some scattered thunderstorms to a few select locations, but the overall hydrological contribution to the watersheds and reservoirs was minimal to nonexistent. #
- [Some interesting potentialities; mainly dry and warm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/98) - April 4, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Much of California was mild and rather balmy today under a fairly thick deck of middle and upper-level subtropical cloudiness. This moisture continues to stream northward from the subtropics on the eastern side of a mildly divergent and rather weak upper low 600 mi. SW of Point Conception. A few light showers/sprinkles are likely in #
- [Drought...it's official](https://weatherwest.com/archives/97) - March 30, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Last week's system did very little to alleviate record-dryness across the state. There is currently no precipitation in sight for the next 1-2 weeks. The results of the most recent snow survey released this week show the Sierra snowpack has the least water content since 1988...with parts of the Northern Sierras at less than 30% #
- [Strong spring storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/96) - March 24, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our many weeks of very dry and warm weather across most of CA are rapidly coming to an end. A strong spring storm is rapidly approaching the coast of California this evening. Current indications are that light warm advection-type rains could begin as early as Sunday in the far north and spread south towards the #
- [Uncertain future](https://weatherwest.com/archives/95) - March 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The weak upper low drifting offshore of SoCal will produce showers and thunderstorms across AZ for the next 48 hours and possibly a few thunderstorms across far south CA as well. For the most part, however, we will stay warm, sunny, and dry for the next few days. Model agreement...which was excellent for the past #
- [Wetter weather on the horizon ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/94) - March 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - [This post is not new...for some reason, it did not show up when originally posted on the 20th] Today's system...although not very impressive from a dynamical point of view...did manage to produce some interesting weather in the Central Valley this afternoon and evening. Quite a few thunderstorms have popped up...producing small hail and numerous lightning #
- [Major pattern shift to come...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/93) - March 19, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The reign of anomalously strong high pressure over CA and the West Coast appears to be coming to an end. A weakish trough is currently visible on satellite approaching the CA coast this evening, bringing with it much cooler temperatures and some light to briefly moderate rain along the cold front. Light rain will fall #
- [Actual springlike weather on the way?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/92) - March 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our very long string of beautiful...warm to hot...late winter-days continued today. The crystal clear skies were marred in parts of NorCal only by the thick creosote smoke originating from the large fire on the railroad trestle over the American River in Sacramento. Temperatures exhibited a huge diurnal range in inland areas, dropping into the mid 30s and #
- [Summer for a few more days, then winter again?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/91) - March 14, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Not much time for a full update this evening, but here's the synopsis: After cooler weather today, the high pressure offshore will build back in between now and the first part of the weekend, bringing 80s and 90s SoCal and 70s and 80s in NorCal once again. Record-breaking heat will be somewhat less likely/widespread that #
- [Summer in March--A change?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/90) - March 12, 2007 - Daniel Swain - There was little to distinguish this afternoon from one in June or July throughout much of the state...with near-100 degree temperatures in the south along with single digit humidities and the occasional wildfire. The hillsides were bare and brown in places south of Santa Barbara for the most part. In the north, the only hint #
- [March wildfires; dry and hot weather ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/89) - March 10, 2007 - Daniel Swain - And our July-like March continues. Highs the next few days will be in the upper 80s through the 90s in SoCal...geniunely hot in some places. With some gusty winds in canyons and dry vegetation resulting from a winter with little/no rain, there will be a serious threat of wildfires during the coming week. Even in #
- [Warm...hot? Certainly dry...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/88) - March 7, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our non-winter 2006/2007 continues. We seem to have skipped spring and are poised to jump headlong into an almost summerlike pattern during the next week, with 80s and 90s in Socal and 70s to 80s as far north as the Oregon border. No rain is in sight...and there's really not much to discuss to that #
- [Warm and dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/87) - March 4, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Well, I just typed up a lengthy post about climatology and the upcoming fire season. It was lost, somehow, when I tried to post it. That discussion will now have to wait for another day. Quick summary of the upcoming conditions: warm and dry; bit of rain in the north on Wednesday; warmer and dryer #
- [March is here...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/86) - March 1, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our cold system is moving out of CA this afternoon. Snowfall was very significant on the high Sierra peaks--as much as 4-6 feet of accumulation on the peaks. Snow accumulated to very low elevations in NorCal...in Orleans, up by Eureka and with an elevation of only 450 feet, nearly 6 inches of snow fell. Many other #
- [Snow and thunderstorms...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/85) - February 26, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The pattern over the next 48 hours in NorCal will be rather exciting. Some pre-frontal thunderstorms this AM may have caused some winds damage not too far from Sacramento...and may have even been caused by a tornado. Check back in later for more info. A very cold upper low is spinning off the WA/OR coastline #
- [Heavy snow event in NorCal this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/84) - February 25, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The last few days have brought lots of mainly orographically-forced cloudiness and precipitation to CA. Snow totals in the Northern and Central Sierras have been rather significant over the past few days...measured in the 2-3 foot range in some places. This locally heavy precipitation along with relatively low snow levels (3000-4000 ft) have been very #
- [Heavy snow NorCal; light precip SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/83) - February 24, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick update tonight...a more extensive discussion tomorrow. Weak system moving through NorCal tonight is bringing some light to moderate rain and some gusty winds. Behind the front...some intense convective showers are moving ashore and snow levels are dropping once again. An interesting note: Mt. Hamilton, located in the Bay Area east of San #
- [Cold storms: tstms and low snow levels](https://weatherwest.com/archives/82) - February 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A rather significant storm is currently at our doorstep. A steady moderate rain has been falling for much of the day on the far NorCal coast north of Cape Mendocino, with some light showers as far south as the Bay Area. This rain is associated with a strong cold front that is nearly stationary between #
- [Cold storm this week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/81) - February 19, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today's cutoff low produced some shower and thunderstorm activity in SoCal, which is still ongoing in the San Diego area. Light rainfall was widespread south of Santa Barbara, and some locations saw heavier amounts where convective downpours occurred. Not drought-busting rainfall, but every bit helps at this point. Conditions will become slowly drier over the #
- [SoCal Thunder, then NorCal snow?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/80) - February 18, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A quick update this evening...once again, sorry for the delay. The weak upper low that was dry when it passed through NorCal overnight gained a bit of moisture as it moved south just offshore of the coast and is currently developing a band of showers and some embedded thunderstorms east of Santa Barbara and west #
- [Technical problems](https://weatherwest.com/archives/79) - February 18, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Weather West is currently experiencing major technical problems. I apologize for the lack of updates, but the weather has been pretty benign. Hope to have everyting fixed in 12-24 hours... #
- [Few days of dry weather, then an interesting scenario](https://weatherwest.com/archives/78) - February 12, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today's relatively weak system brought some interesting weather to NorCal this afternoon. The weak cold front was preceded by significant sunshine this morning and early afternoon, and cold temperatures aloft were apparently enough when combined with frontal lifting to produce two bands of strong showers and scattered thunderstorms this evening. Here in San Rafael, some #
- [Some showers; then dry again.](https://weatherwest.com/archives/77) - February 11, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The Southland did finally manage to see some rainfall with last night's system, though it was less than 0.5 inches in most places. About a foot of late-night snow fell in the northern Sierras, which is a step in the right direction. All in all, however, this system did not live up to its true #
- [Wet pattern looks to be short-lived](https://weatherwest.com/archives/76) - February 10, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Well, NorCal has seen some significant rainfall totals over the past 4 days, but only in rather isolated orographically-favored areas. The North Bay Mountains as well as the Santa Cruz Mountains have seen 4-6 inches of rain since Wednesday. We have seen a solid 5 inches here in San Rafael. That may sound like a #
- [Decent rains in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/75) - February 8, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today's system is continuing to bring a steady, soaking rain to NorCal (0.67 in SR so far). I would expect rainfall to decrease a bit for a few hours and then pick up once again as a decent-looking jet streak acts on a very moist subtropical moisture plume. Although the plume is currently aimed at #
- [Rain. ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/74) - February 6, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Our historic dry spell is quickly coming to an end. A fast-approaching system will spread rain across NorCal on Wednesday, reaching as far south perhaps as Santa Barbara by evening. Rainfall totals with this first system will be as high as 1.5 inches in the north, 1.0 inches in the Bay Area, and 0.5 inches #
- [Wet weather to make a return to CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/73) - February 5, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The long-anticipated pattern change is currently at our doorstep. The persistent West Coast ridge is finally being undercut by the subtropical jet stream, and a line of storms are queuing up over the Pacific. The first...and weakest...system will roll into NorCal on Wednesday, bringing brief heavy rains and wind gusts to 35 mph. SoCal could #
- [Warm; winter; then warm again?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/72) - February 3, 2007 - Daniel Swain - California continues to bask in unseasonable warmth and dryness this weekend. Temperatures will approach 90 degrees in SoCal on Sunday, and even NorCal will likely see some 70s. And then...high clouds and cooling afternoon temperatures will occur as the very long-advertised pattern change approaches. It does now appear that the subtropical jet stream will undercut #
- [Dry and warm, then some rain?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/71) - February 1, 2007 - Daniel Swain - That cut-off low that plagued SoCal for several days has finally moved out of the picture. The system brought very locally heavy rainfall totals but was, for the most part, very disappointing. Here in San Rafael I recorded 0.21 in. for the month of January, compared to an average of around 10 inches or so #
- [Some showers in SoCal; dry once again by midweek](https://weatherwest.com/archives/70) - January 29, 2007 - Daniel Swain - That pesky cut-off low has produced a variety of weather across Central California over the past few days. A southerly band of subtropical moisture set up along the coast of Santa Barbara and Ventura as well as Monterey Counties, bringing periods of locally heavy rainfall, esp. to south-facing mountain peaks. Rainfall totals of up to 3.5 inches #
- [Interesting scenario this weekend; poss. change on the horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/69) - January 27, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The once innocuous-looking cut off low is currently producing some impressive convective activity over the central Bay Area and south to near Santa Barbara. The low seems to be moister than anticipated. Deformation bands on the N/E sides of cut-offs are always tricky in CA, and this time it is causing quite a few forecast #
- [Some light precipitation this weekend, then dry once again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/68) - January 26, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The very unimpressive-looking cut-off low spinning off the CA coast did manage to bring some light showers to coastal parts of the Bay Area today. Amounts were catergorically very light: I believe the 0.11 in. we received here in San Rafael was just about as much as anywhere else. That's enough to wet the ground...but #
- [Dry, still...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/67) - January 23, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Although it hasn't been particularly warm here in CA, dry weather continues to dominate the sensible weather picture. The two weak lows mentioned yesterday are still in the picture, but are even weaker than indicated yesterday by the models. Some isolated showers could fall in NorCal, but it is likely that no rain will fall #
- [Perhaps a few showers, but overall dry pattern continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/66) - January 22, 2007 - Daniel Swain - We residents of NorCal are not accustomed to seeing grassfires in January, and yet that's exactly what I have witnessed each afternoon for the past three days. The Ventura County Star published an article two days ago about the aftermath of the Day Fire. The extremely dry weather and lack of any accumulating precipitation has allowed the #
- [Record January dryness continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/65) - January 21, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today was dry and warm across the entire state. The distant grass fire that I witnessed today is a testament to the extreme mid-winter dryness across the state, even in the north. The weak cutoff low that is forecast to graze the state later in the week could bring some scattered shower activity, but even #
- [Dry, a shower, then dry, dry, dry...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/64) - January 20, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The West Coast and California in particular remains locked in an incredibly dry mid-winter weather pattern. Arizona will actually see som decent rainfall tomorrow as that system that impacted SoCal earlier in the week with frozen precipitation finally moves to the east. Several more days of dry...mild...and locally windy weather are on tap before a #
- [Dry weather for the forseeable future...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/63) - January 18, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Really not all that much to discuss today. High pressure will continue to build in over the Eastern Pacific and bring warmer temperatures, offshore winds (with Santa Anas in SoCal), and an extended period of rainless and perhaps nearly cloudless conditions. Fire weather will be a concern in SoCal, and perhaps even in NorCal if #
- [Warming and a very dry pattern ahead](https://weatherwest.com/archives/62) - January 17, 2007 - Daniel Swain - That "weak" upper low that dropped down the coast last light managed to produce some very interesting weather over the past 24 hours. Here's a chronology:Â a rain and snow mix fell last evening in parts of the Sacramento Valley, w/ little or no accums. Black ice formed on the roadways in these same areas once #
- [Few showers of the frozen variety, then warmer and drier](https://weatherwest.com/archives/61) - January 16, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A very weak upper low is currently diving down the CA coast. The low is expected to track just inland from the coast overnight and approach SoCal with mainly overland trajectory. This system will be somewhat similar to the one that moved in at the end of last week, except that the air aloft will #
- [Cold night, few showers, then dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/60) - January 15, 2007 - Daniel Swain - One more cold night will threaten crops across CA tonight. Tomorrow night will still be quite cold, but no more records will be set and the duration of subfreezing temperatures in the growing areas will be less than 4 hours. A cutoff low will approach the NorCal coast late tomorrow evening and drop south down along the coast #
- [Still cold...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/59) - January 14, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Very cold and record-breaking cold temperatures continue over the state and will moderate only slightly this week. The ice in the backyard still hasn't melted since it froze 72 hours ago here in San Rafael. The airmass is still cold and dry at virtually all levels as the flow remains mildly offshore. We are currently #
- [Cold(est?)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/58) - January 12, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today was quite cold across all of CA and the western United States. Some early morning snow showers in the higher valleys east and north of Los Angeles brought up to 2 inches of snow down to near 1000 feet, which was quite a spectacle for some and an entirely different thing for those who had #
- [Cold(er)!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/57) - January 11, 2007 - Daniel Swain - An extremely cold airmass has settled into NorCal and is continuing to dive southward. The upper low is currently dropping down the coast, and still has a couple of vorticity maxima associated with it that are producing scattered showers. As these isolated to scattered showers continue to spin around these vort maxes, some light snow #
- [Sea level snow; frigid temps all around...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/56) - January 10, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Significant snow has fallen all the way down to sea level in most of WA and OR today. Temperatures are dropping in NorCal and showers are beginning to develop along the coast. Extremely cold air aloft will conintue to filter southward as the upper low drops down just inland from the CA coast. This airmass #
- [Cold!!!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/55) - January 9, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A very cold pattern is developing over the West, especially in California. The Arctic front can be seen on satellite progressing southward, with a great deal of cold air cumulus clouds behind it, eventually tapering to cold air stratocumulus where the entire air column is so cold that the atmosphere is actually rather stable (cold #
- [Very cold airmass over the West, and some snow in unusual places](https://weatherwest.com/archives/54) - January 8, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The much-discussed Arctic front will sweep south from the Gulf of Alaska on Wednesday, heralding the arrival of a very cold airmass aloft. Moisture will be lacking on the southern end of the front, however. The front will elongate a bit on its southern end, with the southernmost segment hanging back as the northern half #
- [Cold coming!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/53) - January 7, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Quick update tonight. Very cold outbreak still looks to be on track. Quick glance at 00z models shows a slightly better chance of showers across CA on Thurs/Thurs. night. Snow showers...almost certainly light...appear possible in the Bay Area and the Sac. Valley (and they will be likely around Eureka) and significant snow showers are likely #
- [Cold with some showers, but no significant rain on West Coast ](https://weatherwest.com/archives/52) - January 6, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The GFS has trended slightly farther to the west with the impending Arctic trough over the West Coast. The difference isn't huge, but the small increase of overwater trajectory will allow a little more moisture to be entrained by the trough and produce a few more showers a bit farther south than the models indicated yesterday. #
- [Cold event still likely; precip threat greatly reduced](https://weatherwest.com/archives/51) - January 5, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Model solutions today don't look anywhere near as impressive as they did 48 hours ago regarding what was expected to be a very dramatic cold and wet pattern. A change to very cold weather will still occur, but not to the incredible magnitude that was forseen a few days ago. The reasons: the blocking rifge #
- [Major pattern change on the way](https://weatherwest.com/archives/50) - January 4, 2007 - Daniel Swain - Today's "storm" was quite pathetic--we got 0.05 in. in the San Rafael hills with no significant winds. Cold air has moved in behind the front and temperatures are dropping rapidly. Warm afternoons and cold nights will be the rule for the next few days, but the sensible weather really will be quite pleasant for all #
- [Small storm, then major pattern change next week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/49) - January 3, 2007 - Daniel Swain - A moderately strong storm will impact mostly NorCal tonight and CentCal tomorrow. Frontal band is fairly moist but not very wide, and although rain rates may be briefly heavy would expect less than 1.5 inches nearly everywhere except far NorCal where up to 4 inches could fall. Iso. tstms are poss. along front and then #
- [Moderate NorCal storm in short term; potentially very cold event in long term](https://weatherwest.com/archives/39) - January 1, 2007 - Daniel Swain - The new year is off to a beautiful start here in CA. The high temperature today here in the San Rafael hills eclisped the 60 degree mark for the first time in nearly a month. This dry and warm weather (with chilly overnight lows) will continue for one more day before a fairly dramatic change in the #
- [Wet and stormy NorCal; a little wet SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/34) - December 24, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The advertised upcoming wet pattern is shaping up a bit differently than previously forecast. A powerful 946 mb low (see animated GIF below) is moving slowly towards southern British Columbia, dragging a very long cold front with copious entrained tropical and subtropical air behind it. This front is will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the West #
- [More dull weather to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/38) - December 30, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Winter has now officially arrived, but the absense of winter-like weather in CA has many people wondering when we'll start to see the effects of it. The answer: not soon. A very weak system will fall apart as it crosses the coast, bringing only sprinkles or light showers New Year's Eve (though could interfere with #
- [Storm summary; benign weather to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/37) - December 28, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Well, the day-after-Christmas storm was not particularly impressive in California. The intense rainfall that was expected to develop never really got going, and the whole system moved through much more quickly than had been anticipated. Here in San Rafael, we did receive a respectable 2.56 inches for the storm total, and the peak wind gust here #
- [Major winter storm in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/36) - December 25, 2006 - Daniel Swain - I'll have an additional post tomorrow when the storm has finally begun. There's still some uncertainty, but it does appear that there will be a rather impressive frontal passage later tomorrow across nearly all of the state. Details below. Â *Precipitation* Copious subtropical moisture has been entrained by the rapidly developing cyclone. A powerful 180 knot #
- [Possibly significant NorCal rain on Christmas](https://weatherwest.com/archives/33) - December 22, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Quick update this PM. A substantial tropical tap can currently be seen on satellite iimagery streaming tpwards the Pacific coast from near the dateline. This plume will slowly consolidate and sink southwards towards the Bay Area over the next 48 hours. Details still need to be worked out, but an extended period of moderate to #
- [NorCal cold, then rain; SoCal persistence](https://weatherwest.com/archives/32) - December 19, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Quick update today. Very cold temps this AM in the inland valleys of the Bay Area--got as low as 17 degrees in isolated locations, with 20-25 in places like Santa Rosa and Napa. Interesting to note that we in the thermal belt (300-1000 foot) range saw much warmer overnight lows--only 37 here. Still frosty tomorrow #
- [Cold system; boring weather to follow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/31) - December 15, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The big storm in the PacNW caused a great deal of damage last night, with maximum wind gusts in the 90-100 mph range, and maximum rainfall amounts of nearly 8 inches in W. WA. A secondary disturbance...the leading edge of which is well-defined on infrared satellite as a comma cloud with fairly cold cloud tops...is #
- [Extreme wind event OR/WA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/30) - December 14, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Just a quick note: damaging and possibly destructive winds are occurring along the OR/WA coasts this evening. A peak gust so far of 91 mph has been recorded at Rockhouse Raws, and the peak winds have not yet arrived. Would expect this observing station to eclpise 110 mph before the night is over. Other observing #
- [Cold storm to affect CA; major wind/rain PacNW](https://weatherwest.com/archives/29) - December 13, 2006 - Daniel Swain - This should be a quick discussion, but given the complicated nature of the current weather situation, this may be difficult. A major winter storm is currently gathering strength over the open waters of the Pacific, taking aim at areas from far NorCal to British Columbia. With a deep tropical tap (PW plume of 1.7 inches), #
- [Interesting developments?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/28) - December 11, 2006 - Daniel Swain - This past weekend's "storms" were not particularly impressive, though they were not expected to be. The second--on Sat. PM--did bring a wind gust of 44 mph to my SR gauge, which is the strongest speed since last winter. 3 day total rain accum. in SR was 2.15 in.--certainly not incredible, but it did help the #
- [Wet weather in CA; few rumbles of thunder?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/27) - December 8, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The long-advertised pattern change has finally come about along the West Coast. Rain and wind visited coastal areas today, though not too much of either. Rainfall rates did pick up briefly earlier this evening, but have since dropped off. Total rainfall in San Rafael has been about a half inch, which is about the most #
- [Significant pattern change, but no major storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/26) - December 7, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Brief update today. The first in a series of three disturbances will move into NorCal tomorrow, bringing gusty winds and rain. Rain could be briefly heavy around frontal passage, and would expect up to 1.5 inches in the wettest areas of NorCal by Sat. noon. SoCal will not see any rain from this event. The #
- [Pattern change confounds models--Where's El Nino?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/25) - December 6, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The long-advertised pattern change is still on track to take place on Friday for California and the rest of the West Coast. A storm system will move into a split flow regime west of CA, allowing the southernmost part of the system to cut off and possibly form a closed low as it approaches NorCal. #
- [Major pattern change in Pacific; extreme fire danger SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/24) - December 3, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The past week has been a dramatic one for many parts of the West Coast. Seattle, Portland, and points between experienced some record cold temperatures and very unusual frozen precipitation, from significant snowfall to accumulating freezing rain. Seattle broke its all-time record for monthly precipitation...with snow! The interior West is still frigid, with the lowest #
- [Very cold pattern setting up across West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/23) - November 24, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The models remain adamant in their forecast of a very cold, modified (or even unmodified) Arctic airmass settling over most of the West in the 4-10 day period, especially away from the coast. A strong system will be the harbinger of this cold air. This cold frontal band will be pretty strong as it approaches #
- [Longwave pattern shift; MJO active again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/22) - November 22, 2006 - Daniel Swain - After what has been a very wet month for the Pacific Northwest, the pattern may finally be shifting to bring heavier rains to California. All of the storminess as of late been directed at the coast from Eureka northwards, and areas from the central Bay Area southwards have been left completely dry. An active phase #
- [Historic rain event in Pac NW](https://weatherwest.com/archives/21) - November 7, 2006 - Daniel Swain - An incredible "Pineapple Express" is dumping torrential rains across a large swath of western Washington and Oregon. 4-9 inches have fallen in the lowlands already, and up to 15 inches have fallen in the orographically favored areas in the Cascades. Rain is ongoing, and is expected to intensify even further overnight as a powerful wave #
- [Back to fall, again](https://weatherwest.com/archives/20) - October 8, 2006 - Daniel Swain - After this week's upper-level low and early rain event (up to 1/2 inch in some places), typically dry and warm weather has returned to CA. Gusty offshore winds and low humidities could increase fire danger, but the wetting rains recently recieved over much of the area should preclude any critical issues. A highly-amplified pattern over #
- [Fire weather no longer--summer is replaced immediately by winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/19) - October 2, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The last few days have seen a rapid transition of weather patterns in California. Hot and extremely dry conditions have given way to moist and downright cool temperatures. The most notable feature on current satellite pictures is the extensive subtropical moisture plume ploughing into Central CA from the SW. This plume has brought some rather #
- [Extremely dangerous fire weather in CA](https://weatherwest.com/archives/18) - September 22, 2006 - Daniel Swain - More in-depth update tomorrow. A strong offshore wind event will occur during the next 24-72 hours across all of CA. 65 mph+ gusts could occur invof the already enormous Day Fire in Socal, which could prove catastrophic for communities S and SW of the fire. Any new fires that develop throughout the state this weekend #
- [Extreme fire weather in CA; an early fall elsewhere](https://weatherwest.com/archives/17) - September 17, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The main focus of extremely dry...windy...and warm conditions has shifted into California this weekend. Powerful Santa Ana winds in Socal have reportedly caused the Day Fire to explode, with an 8-10 mile wide active fire front advancing virtually unchecked to the SW. Winds there are currently in the 15-30 mph range, but could increase to #
- [Summer may be coming to an end...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/16) - September 9, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Fire weather continues to be the main concern throughout the West, although AZ has been continuing to have severe storms and flash flooding. Numerous afternoon and terrain-generated storms have popped up nearly every day for the past two weeks over much of the interior West, and have contributed to fire spread/ignition. New fires in CA #
- [Yet more fire weather concerns; Ikoe's remnants](https://weatherwest.com/archives/15) - September 7, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Hot, dry, windy weather, with a few thunderstorms mixed in, continue in all of the areas already dealing with major wildfires (and has extended to Socal). This will continue, and likely worsen, in the coming days. John's remnants petered out a bit earlier that estimated, but still brought some localized flooding in the SW. Former #
- [Hurricane John to significantly impact the SW United States](https://weatherwest.com/archives/14) - September 2, 2006 - Daniel Swain - By far this weekend, the main story continues to be Hurricane John. Now downgraded to a cat 1 with 80 mph winds (from a former cat 3, 125 mph menace), John is moving NW, just having made a second landfall on the east coast of Baja California. The models have been all over the place #
- [Hurricanes, fire weather, and more!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/13) - August 27, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Hurricane (Tropical Storm?) Ernesto continues to confound human forecasters and forecast models alike as it lurches along in the Carribbean. The storm has changed direction several times, has weakened under ideal conditions and strengthened in a hostile environment. The best guess for landfall (after Cuba) is the central western Florida peninsula as a cat. 2 #
- [Extreme fire weather interior; Ileana to the south](https://weatherwest.com/archives/12) - August 22, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Yesterday's dry lightning outbreak over OR, WA, and ID initiated many new fire starts. These new fires...as well as existing ones...will be fanned by dry, hot, and windy conditions that will persist for at least the next few days. This year will probably go down as one of the worst fire seasons in recent history, #
- [Extreme fire weather concerns NW; mostly calm elsewhere](https://weatherwest.com/archives/11) - August 21, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Numerous dry thunderstorms...hot temperatures...and very low surface humidities have prompted Red Flag Warnings for most of OR, WA, ID, MT, NV, WY, UT, and parts of far N. CA and CO. Quite a few fire starts can be expected in the next 48 hours in these areas, and existing large fires will grow considerably. Plume-dominated #
- [Slightly more interesting...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/10) - August 16, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Active weather has developed across the interior West, with severe thunderstorms in E. OR, N. ID, and W. MT. Activity will diminish after today, but will persist at a diminsihed level in many areas. Major fires in NV, ID, MT, and WY will be fanned by strong winds, dry air, and possibly dry thunderstorms for #
- [Active interior West; quiet Pacific Coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/9) - August 15, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Scattered thunderstorms and gusty winds will herald the arrival of several cold fronts across interior mountain areas of the West over the next week. This will contribute to extreme fire weather conditions, especially in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming where large fires are already raging. Southern Arizona and New Mexico continue to be drenched by a #
- [Very boring weather continues; possible change on the horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/8) - August 13, 2006 - Daniel Swain - A very stagnant and dull weather pattern persists across much of the nation. An exception may be Arizona and New Mexico, where numerous strong monsoonal thunderstorms have been producing mostly beneficial heavy rains. The relatively active pattern in the far Southwest will continue, but cool and mostly dry weather will prevail elsewhere. Isolated to scattered #
- [Summer doldrums](https://weatherwest.com/archives/7) - August 9, 2006 - Daniel Swain - The upper low that brought significant thunderstorm activity to NorCal and OR is lifting NE, bringing sct. tstms to the interior west. Most of these storms will be gone by tomorrow, leaving behind only isolated terrain-driven PM storms over the Rockies, and some sct. activity in S. AZ. A weak and brief monsoonal surge will #
- [Unusual summer pattern across West Coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/5) - August 7, 2006 - Daniel Swain - A fairly deep cutoff low is lifting very slowly NE over NorCal this evening. Some very intense thunderstorm activity has developed in the favorable NE quardant of the low, and some may even survive the westward trek to the coast near Eureka. A small chance of convective activity exists as far south as the Bay #
- [Bland weather; possible cut off?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/4) - August 1, 2006 - Daniel Swain - Mostly dull weather can be expected across the West for the next several days. This may be seen as a relief by those who have suffered through weeks of unbelievable heat. There are a few indications that an unseasonably deep cutoff low may impact Norcal by the end of the week. This would bring very #
- [Back up and running...](https://weatherwest.com/archives/3) - August 1, 2006 - Daniel Swain - This will be the new home of current weather updates for weatherwest.com. Hopefully, posting and maintenance will be easier. Additional major changes will be coming soon. #

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- [El Nino impacts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-impacts)
- [california fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-fire)
- [dry lightning](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-lightning)
- [featured](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/featured)
- [california flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-flood-risk)
- [el nino flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-flood-risk)
- [southern california flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/southern-california-flood)
- [tropical weather california](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tropical-weather-california)
- [summer rain california](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/summer-rain-california)
- [cut-off low](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cut-off-low)
- [wet winter california](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-winter-california)
- [wet california winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-california-winter)
- [california storm track](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-storm-track)
- [california storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-storms)
- [wet winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-winter)
- [california low snow levels](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-low-snow-levels)
- [california snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-snowpack)
- [california storm parade](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-storm-parade)
- [el nino 2016](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-2016)
- [el nino california storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-california-storm)
- [california flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-flooding)
- [global warming](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/global-warming)
- [climate change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/climate-change)
- [california precipitation extremes](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-precipitation-extremes)
- [may showers](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/may-showers)
- [california la nina](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-la-nina)
- [dry thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-thunderstorms)
- [extreme heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-heat)
- [california wildfires](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-wildfires)
- [Songda](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/songda)
- [hurricane seymour](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-seymour)
- [arctic warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/arctic-warmth)
- [la rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/la-rain)
- [sierra nevada flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-flood)
- [sierra snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-snow)
- [california blizzard](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-blizzard)
- [california heavy snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-heavy-snow)
- [california jet stream](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-jet-stream)
- [pineapple express](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/pineapple-express)
- [atmospheric river california](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-river-california)
- [oroville dam](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/oroville-dam)
- [los angeles rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/los-angeles-rain)
- [levee failure](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/levee-failure)
- [california wettest winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-wettest-winter)
- [california record rainfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-record-rainfall)
- [april storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/april-storm)
- [spring snow sierra](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-snow-sierra)
- [california record wet](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-record-wet)
- [california wettest year](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-wettest-year)
- [snowmelt flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/snowmelt-flooding)
- [wavenumber 6](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wavenumber-6)
- [heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heatwave)
- [record highs](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-highs)
- [muggy](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/muggy)
- [monsoon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoon)
- [heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heat)
- [california humidity](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-humidity)
- [fujiwhara interaction](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fujiwhara-interaction)
- [hurricane harvey](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-harvey)
- [western ridge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/western-ridge)
- [california record heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-record-heat)
- [california warmest summer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-warmest-summer)
- [North Bay Fires](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-bay-fires)
- [Wine Country Fires](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wine-country-fires)
- [Los Angeles heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/los-angeles-heatwave)
- [october heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-heatwave)
- [record october heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-october-heat)
- [gulf of alaska ridge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/gulf-of-alaska-ridge)
- [NorCal storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-storm)
- [SoCal dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-dry)
- [burn scar flash flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/burn-scar-flash-flood)
- [north american winter dipole](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-american-winter-dipole)
- [thomas fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/thomas-fire)
- [dry winter socal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-winter-socal)
- [record dry streak](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-dry-streak)
- [Tubbs Fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tubbs-fire)
- [flash flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/flash-flooding)
- [debris flows](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/debris-flows)
- [burn scar flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/burn-scar-flood)
- [snow drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/snow-drought)
- [dry and warm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-and-warm)
- [record warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-warmth)
- [low snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/low-snowpack)
- [miracle march](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/miracle-march)
- [california warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-warmth)
- [sierra nevada snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-snow)
- [march mitigation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/march-mitigation)
- [thomas fire debris flow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/thomas-fire-debris-flow)
- [santa barbara snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/santa-barbara-snow)
- [sierra snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-snowpack)
- [debris flow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/debris-flow)
- [mudslide](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mudslide)
- [april surprise](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/april-surprise)
- [rain-on-snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/rain-on-snow)
- [climate whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/climate-whiplash)
- [precipitation extremes](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/precipitation-extremes)
- [Great Flood of 1862](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/great-flood-of-1862)
- [extreme dry years](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-dry-years)
- [extreme wet years](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-wet-years)
- [may gray](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/may-gray)
- [coastal fog](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/coastal-fog)
- [Sierra Nevada thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-thunderstorms)
- [typical summer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/typical-summer)
- [LA Heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/la-heat)
- [socal heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-heatwave)
- [record heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-heat)
- [fire weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-weather)
- [warmest july](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warmest-july)
- [monsoon moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoon-moisture)
- [fire tornado](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-tornado)
- [carr fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/carr-fire)
- [california winter precipitation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-winter-precipitation)
- [san francisco cool weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/san-francisco-cool-weather)
- [hurricane rosa](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-rosa)
- [early season rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-season-rain)
- [october surprise](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-surprise)
- [dry october](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-october)
- [warm november](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-november)
- [east pacific jet](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/east-pacific-jet)
- [snowpack deficit](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/snowpack-deficit)
- [polar vortex](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/polar-vortex)
- [burn scar flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/burn-scar-flood-risk)
- [snowmelt](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/snowmelt)
- [high snow levels](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/high-snow-levels)
- [North Pacific blocking](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-pacific-blocking)
- [winter summary](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/winter-summary)
- [sierra nevada snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-snowpack)
- [spring doldrums](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-doldrums)
- [warm sst](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-sst)
- [late-season snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/late-season-snow)
- [unusual may rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unusual-may-rain)
- [supercell thunderstorm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/supercell-thunderstorm)
- [warming trend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warming-trend)
- [mayuary](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mayuary)
- [record june](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-june)
- [quiet weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/quiet-weather)
- [july heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/july-heat)
- [monsoonal moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoonal-moisture)
- [hot autumn](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-autumn)
- [remnant moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/remnant-moisture)
- [warm autumn](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-autumn)
- [cooling trend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cooling-trend)
- [early season snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-season-snow)
- [fire season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season)
- [offshore winds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/offshore-winds)
- [Davis tornado](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/davis-tornado)
- [Public Safety Power Shutoff](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/public-safety-power-shutoff)
- [record dry vegetation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-dry-vegetation)
- [SoCal Thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-thunderstorms)
- [NorCal Fire Weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-fire-weather)
- [November fire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/november-fire-risk)
- [End of fire season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/end-of-fire-season)
- [North Coast wind](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-coast-wind)
- [Thanksgiving travel](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/thanksgiving-travel)
- [severe thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/severe-thunderstorms)
- [classic winter storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/classic-winter-storm)
- [unremarkable December](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unremarkable-december)
- [SoCal storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-storm)
- [cold storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-storms)
- [dry january](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-january)
- [cold storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-storm)
- [Sierra Nevada heavy snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-heavy-snowfall)
- [strong cold front](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/strong-cold-front)
- [seasonal precipitation deficit](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/seasonal-precipitation-deficit)
- [february warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/february-warmth)
- [dramatic cold front](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dramatic-cold-front)
- [dry february](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-february)
- [dry winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-winter)
- [record dry february](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-dry-february)
- [atmospheric river research](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-river-research)
- [good news](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/good-news)
- [heavy Sierra Nevada snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heavy-sierra-nevada-snow)
- [unsettled conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unsettled-conditions)
- [spring snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-snow)
- [wildfires and climate change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfires-and-climate-change)
- [NorCal drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-drought)
- [wildfire season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire-season)
- [norcal rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-rain)
- [norcal thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-thunderstorms)
- [warm ssts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-ssts)
- [norcal heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-heatwave)
- [progressive summer pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/progressive-summer-pattern)
- [extreme event attribution](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-event-attribution)
- [warm wave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-wave)
- [Southwest heat dome](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/southwest-heat-dome)
- [delayed monsoon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/delayed-monsoon)
- [extreme atmospheric rivers](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-atmospheric-rivers)
- [atmospheric rivers climate change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-rivers-climate-change)
- [atmospheric river warming](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-river-warming)
- [tropical moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tropical-moisture)
- [east pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/east-pacific)
- [monsoon failure](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoon-failure)
- [prolonged heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/prolonged-heatwave)
- [2020 lightning fire siege](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/2020-lightning-fire-siege)
- [poor air quality](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/poor-air-quality)
- [warm and dry](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-dry)
- [increasing wildfire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increasing-wildfire-risk)
- [unprecedented wildfire situation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unprecedented-wildfire-situation)
- [pyrocumulus](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/pyrocumulus)
- [windshift](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/windshift)
- [smokestorm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/smokestorm)
- [air quality](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/air-quality)
- [wildfire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire)
- [2020 wildfires california](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/2020-wildfires-california)
- [climate change and wildfire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/climate-change-and-wildfire)
- [swing and a miss](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/swing-and-a-miss)
- [fire season continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-continues)
- [La Niña](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/la-nina-2)
- [strong offshore winds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/strong-offshore-winds)
- [bone dry october](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/bone-dry-october)
- [extreme wildfire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-wildfire-risk)
- [cold Santa Ana](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-santa-ana)
- [fire season relief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-relief)
- [showers and thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/showers-and-thunderstorms)
- [Sierra Nevada first snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-first-snowfall)
- [fire risk continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-risk-continues)
- [Exceptionally dry calendar year](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/exceptionally-dry-calendar-year)
- [US Flood paper](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/us-flood-paper)
- [New research](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/new-research)
- [dry southern California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-southern-california)
- [some NorCal rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/some-norcal-rain)
- [dry december](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-december)
- [record dry 2020](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-dry-2020)
- [Pacific jet extension](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/pacific-jet-extension)
- [Polar Vortex disruption](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/polar-vortex-disruption)
- [good riddance 2020](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/good-riddance-2020)
- [uncertain january](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/uncertain-january)
- [january fire weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/january-fire-weather)
- [major California storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-california-storm)
- [flash flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/flash-flood-risk)
- [epic Sierra snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/epic-sierra-snowfall)
- [Redding snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/redding-snow)
- [more of the same](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/more-of-the-same)
- [cool NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-norcal)
- [Ridiculously Resilient Ridge returns](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/ridiculously-resilient-ridge-returns)
- [Dry spring](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-spring)
- [Worsening drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/worsening-drought)
- [end of the rainy season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/end-of-the-rainy-season)
- [robust marine layer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/robust-marine-layer)
- [fire season thoughts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-thoughts)
- [Memorial Day heat wave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/memorial-day-heat-wave)
- [record high temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-high-temperatures)
- [cool coastal ocean temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-coastal-ocean-temperatures)
- [June monthly record temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/june-monthly-record-temperatures)
- [rising wildfire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/rising-wildfire-risk)
- [Historic Pacific Northwest heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/historic-pacific-northwest-heatwave)
- [California hot](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-hot)
- [monsoonal surge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoonal-surge)
- [Rex block](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/rex-block)
- [record hot June](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-hot-june)
- [another heat wave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/another-heat-wave)
- [coastal reprieve](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/coastal-reprieve)
- [wildfire ignitions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire-ignitions)
- [marine layer reprieve](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/marine-layer-reprieve)
- [deep monsoonal surge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/deep-monsoonal-surge)
- [widespread convective activity](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/widespread-convective-activity)
- [mix of wet and dry storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mix-of-wet-and-dry-storms)
- [NorCal dry lightning](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-dry-lightning)
- [SoCal flash flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-flash-flood-risk)
- [yet another PacNW heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/yet-another-pacnw-heatwave)
- [slight chance of dry lightning](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/slight-chance-of-dry-lightning)
- [hottest July on record](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hottest-july-on-record)
- [record hot july](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-hot-july)
- [classic autumn lightning pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/classic-autumn-lightning-pattern)
- [hottest summer on record](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hottest-summer-on-record)
- [mild coast; unrelenting inland heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mild-coast-unrelenting-inland-heat)
- [North Coast rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-coast-rain)
- [Another dry winter?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/another-dry-winter)
- [offshore wind season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/offshore-wind-season)
- [October rain?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-rain)
- [Fire season-ending precipitation?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-ending-precipitation)
- [Major October storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-october-storm)
- [strong atmospheric river](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/strong-atmospheric-river)
- [end of fire season in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/end-of-fire-season-in-norcal)
- [beneficial rains](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/beneficial-rains)
- [burn area debris flows](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/burn-area-debris-flows)
- [flood risk in wildfire zones](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/flood-risk-in-wildfire-zones)
- [record wet October NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-wet-october-norcal)
- [drying trend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/drying-trend)
- [persistent ridging](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/persistent-ridging)
- [wetter December](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wetter-december)
- [Western snow drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/western-snow-drought)
- [welcomed precipitation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/welcomed-precipitation)
- [Modified Arctic air](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/modified-arctic-air)
- [heavy Sierra snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heavy-sierra-snowfall)
- [drought relief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/drought-relief)
- [January dry spell](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/january-dry-spell)
- [undercutting?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/undercutting-2)
- [wet start to season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-start-to-season)
- [Record dry January](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-dry-january)
- [Record longest winter dry spell](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-longest-winter-dry-spell)
- [dry spring outlook](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-spring-outlook)
- [drought re-strengthens](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/drought-re-strengthens)
- [late March precipitation!](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/late-march-precipitation)
- [expansion of extreme drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/expansion-of-extreme-drought)
- [further worsening of drought likely](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/further-worsening-of-drought-likely)
- [very low Sierra snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-low-sierra-snowpack)
- [April amelioration?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/april-amelioration)
- [Severe drought continues](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/severe-drought-continues)
- [A brief fire season reprieve in NorCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/a-brief-fire-season-reprieve-in-norcal)
- [Recurving typhoon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/recurving-typhoon)
- [Spring precipitaiton](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-precipitaiton)
- [much warmer and drier](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/much-warmer-and-drier)
- [summer of extreme land-sea contrasts?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/summer-of-extreme-land-sea-contrasts)
- [Windy spring](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/windy-spring)
- [Brief heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/brief-heatwave)
- [Spring reprieve](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-reprieve)
- [cool North Coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-north-coast)
- [early snowpack meltout](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-snowpack-meltout)
- [warmer and drier](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warmer-and-drier)
- [new wildfire starts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/new-wildfire-starts)
- [slow-building heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/slow-building-heatwave)
- [hotter end to July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hotter-end-to-july)
- [fire season accelerates](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-accelerates)
- [prolonged heat across interior](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/prolonged-heat-across-interior)
- [ARkStorm 2.0](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/arkstorm-2-0)
- [megaflood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/megaflood)
- [precipitation whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/precipitation-whiplash)
- [extreme flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-flooding)
- [dangerous heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dangerous-heatwave)
- [Labor Day heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/labor-day-heat)
- [increased fire weather concerns](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increased-fire-weather-concerns)
- [Hurricane Kay](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-kay)
- [Tropical remnants](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tropical-remnants)
- [All-time record heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/all-time-record-heat)
- [wildfires galore](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfires-galore)
- [wild weather week](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wild-weather-week)
- [high desert flash flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/high-desert-flash-flood-risk)
- [downsloping winds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/downsloping-winds)
- [Record September rainfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-september-rainfall)
- [much-needed rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/much-needed-rain)
- [fire season-moderating](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-moderating)
- [cooler and windy](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cooler-and-windy)
- [no major storms on horizon](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/no-major-storms-on-horizon)
- [heavy Sierra Nevada snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heavy-sierra-nevada-snowfall)
- [end of NorCal fire season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/end-of-norcal-fire-season)
- [not bad for November](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/not-bad-for-november)
- [Dry and warm Thanksgiving](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-and-warm-thanksgiving)
- [December pattern shift?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/december-pattern-shift)
- [cold and stormy](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-and-stormy)
- [classic winter storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/classic-winter-storms)
- [beneficial precipitation](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/beneficial-precipitation)
- [difficult travel in mountains](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/difficult-travel-in-mountains)
- [atmospheric river family](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-river-family)
- [some caveats](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/some-caveats)
- [warm storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-storm)
- [Very wet pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-wet-pattern)
- [High-impact storm events](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/high-impact-storm-events)
- [Saturated Soils](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/saturated-soils)
- [Strong thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/strong-thunderstorms)
- [additional strong winds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/additional-strong-winds)
- [huge Sierra snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/huge-sierra-snowpack)
- [Storm onslaught debrief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/storm-onslaught-debrief)
- [moderately active pattern to continue](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/moderately-active-pattern-to-continue)
- [very low elevation snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-low-elevation-snow)
- [North Coast snowfall at sea level](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-coast-snowfall-at-sea-level)
- [Disruptive snowfall in lower foothills and deserts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/disruptive-snowfall-in-lower-foothills-and-deserts)
- [Cold and active pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-and-active-pattern)
- [increasing flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increasing-flood-risk)
- [Not all floods are the "ARkStorm"](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/not-all-floods-are-the-arkstorm)
- [Another atmospheric river](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/another-atmospheric-river)
- [more flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/more-flooding)
- [record Southern Sierra snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-southern-sierra-snowpack)
- [El Niño rapidly evolving](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-rapidly-evolving)
- [spring warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/spring-warmth)
- [winter is finally over](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/winter-is-finally-over)
- [Tulare Lake Basin flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tulare-lake-basin-flood)
- [San Joaquin flood](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/san-joaquin-flood)
- [April heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/april-heatwave)
- [rapid snowmelt](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/rapid-snowmelt)
- [Extreme Weather and Climate calendar](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-weather-and-climate-calendar)
- [mountain thundersorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mountain-thundersorms)
- [high-latitude blocking](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/high-latitude-blocking)
- [unusual June pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unusual-june-pattern)
- [remaining cool](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/remaining-cool)
- [unusually cool June](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unusually-cool-june)
- [Major heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-heatwave)
- [San Joaquin Valley record temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/san-joaquin-valley-record-temperatures)
- [increased humidity](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increased-humidity)
- [warming near-shore SST](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warming-near-shore-sst)
- [El Niño](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-2)
- [Hurricane Hilary](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-hilary)
- [First Tropical Storm Watch in CA history](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/first-tropical-storm-watch-in-ca-history)
- [Severe flash flood risk in deserts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/severe-flash-flood-risk-in-deserts)
- [Rare summer storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/rare-summer-storm)
- [Winter outlook](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/winter-outlook)
- [autumn pattern change](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/autumn-pattern-change)
- [prescribed fire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/prescribed-fire)
- [shifting seasonal windows](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/shifting-seasonal-windows)
- [American West](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/american-west)
- [El Niño and wet California winter?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-and-wet-california-winter)
- [Major November storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-november-storm)
- [heavy rain and strong wind](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/heavy-rain-and-strong-wind)
- [Tilt in odds toward warmer and wetter winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tilt-in-odds-toward-warmer-and-wetter-winter)
- [Super El Niño?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/super-el-nino-2)
- [Warm and dry Thanksgiving](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-dry-thanksgiving)
- [A wet and stormy December?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/a-wet-and-stormy-december)
- [East Asian mountain torque](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/east-asian-mountain-torque)
- [Elongated zonal jet](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/elongated-zonal-jet)
- [very strong jet streak](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-strong-jet-streak)
- [Seasonal prediction reversal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/seasonal-prediction-reversal)
- [flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/flood-risk)
- [SoCal flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-flooding)
- [warm and wet storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-wet-storm)
- [Explosive cyclogenesis](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/explosive-cyclogenesis)
- [Damaging windstorm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/damaging-windstorm)
- [Major flash flood risk SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-flash-flood-risk-socal)
- [severe thunderstorm potential](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/severe-thunderstorm-potential)
- [strong but not extreme storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/strong-but-not-extreme-storm)
- [warm storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-storms)
- [wet winter conditions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-winter-conditions)
- [Sierra Nevada blizzard](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-nevada-blizzard)
- [extremely heavy snowfall](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extremely-heavy-snowfall)
- [Sierra snowpack boost](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-snowpack-boost)
- [California cold storms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-cold-storms)
- [cool and wet pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-and-wet-pattern)
- [warm and wet winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-wet-winter)
- [cool storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-storm)
- [mild spring](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mild-spring)
- [no big heatwaves](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/no-big-heatwaves)
- [La Nina is coming](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/la-nina-is-coming)
- [May Grey and June Gloom](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/may-grey-and-june-gloom)
- [Late summer shift](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/late-summer-shift)
- [hot and dry autumn](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-and-dry-autumn)
- [early season heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-season-heat)
- [atmospheric Rube Goldberg machine](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/atmospheric-rube-goldberg-machine)
- [record heat in north(east) California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-heat-in-northeast-california)
- [long-duration heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/long-duration-heatwave)
- [record-high temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-high-temperatures-2)
- [brief cooling trend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/brief-cooling-trend)
- [smoke season](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/smoke-season)
- [escalating wildfire activity](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/escalating-wildfire-activity)
- [hot august to come](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-august-to-come)
- [yet more heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/yet-more-heat)
- [not as hot as July](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/not-as-hot-as-july)
- [hottest month on record](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hottest-month-on-record)
- [wildfire situation update](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire-situation-update)
- [monsoonal thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/monsoonal-thunderstorms)
- [dry lightning?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-lightning-2)
- [temporary cooldown](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/temporary-cooldown)
- [fire season lull](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-lull)
- [Pacific Northwest thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/pacific-northwest-thunderstorms)
- [Warm and dry autumn?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-dry-autumn)
- [Autumn heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/autumn-heatwave)
- [Hot September](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-september)
- [Increasing fire weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increasing-fire-weather)
- [autumn wildfire](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/autumn-wildfire)
- [wildfire reprieve](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire-reprieve)
- [early-season low](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-season-low)
- [much cooler airmass](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/much-cooler-airmass)
- [NorCal showers](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-showers)
- [autumn outlook](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/autumn-outlook)
- [Another heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/another-heatwave)
- [October record heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-record-heat)
- [ARkStorm in Southern Appalachia](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/arkstorm-in-southern-appalachia)
- [Santa Ana winds](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/santa-ana-winds)
- [inside slider](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/inside-slider)
- [SoCal fire weather](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-fire-weather)
- [Dry November pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-november-pattern)
- [hydroclimate whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hydroclimate-whiplash)
- [NorCal flooding](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-flooding)
- [bomb cyclone](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/bomb-cyclone)
- [bombogenesis](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/bombogenesis)
- [California precipitation whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-precipitation-whiplash)
- [Mild pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mild-pattern)
- [Southern California wildfire risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/southern-california-wildfire-risk)
- [Wet north](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-north)
- [dry south](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/dry-south)
- [a land of contrasts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/a-land-of-contrasts)
- [december torch](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/december-torch)
- [precipitation dipole](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/precipitation-dipole)
- [extreme fire weather risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/extreme-fire-weather-risk)
- [SoCal offshore wind event](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-offshore-wind-event)
- [retrograding upper low](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/retrograding-upper-low)
- [SoCal record dryness](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-record-dryness)
- [Hydroclimate volatility](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hydroclimate-volatility)
- [Increasing hydroclimate whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/increasing-hydroclimate-whiplash)
- [expanding atmospheric sponge effect](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/expanding-atmospheric-sponge-effect)
- [climate whiplash California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/climate-whiplash-california)
- [Southern California wildfire disasters](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/southern-california-wildfire-disasters)
- [record winter dryness SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-winter-dryness-socal)
- [mid-winter dry spell](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mid-winter-dry-spell)
- [SoCal rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-rain)
- [drier than average conditions persist](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/drier-than-average-conditions-persist)
- [Warm Rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-rain)
- [NorCal soaking](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/norcal-soaking)
- [Continued wildfire risk relief](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/continued-wildfire-risk-relief)
- [SoCal debris flows](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-debris-flows)
- [wet march pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wet-march-pattern)
- [precipitation dipole persists](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/precipitation-dipole-persists)
- [El Niño Costero](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/el-nino-costero)
- [unusually warm spring](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/unusually-warm-spring)
- [mild April](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mild-april)
- [Sierra spring snow](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-spring-snow)
- [western snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/western-snowpack)
- [hot summer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-summer)
- [National Weather Service cuts](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/national-weather-service-cuts)
- [May heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/may-heatwave)
- [Very hot summer](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-hot-summer)
- [Weather Whiplash](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/weather-whiplash)
- [possible thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/possible-thunderstorms)
- [temperature swings](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/temperature-swings)
- [California temperature dipole (again!)](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/california-temperature-dipole-again)
- [Record warmth inland](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-warmth-inland)
- [Cool coast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cool-coast)
- [chilly solstice](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/chilly-solstice)
- [elevated fire weather risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/elevated-fire-weather-risk)
- [hot summer outlook](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hot-summer-outlook)
- [Warming SSTs](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warming-ssts)
- [Texas Floods](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/texas-floods)
- [chilly San Francisco](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/chilly-san-francisco)
- [coastal upwelling](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/coastal-upwelling)
- [thermal contrast](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/thermal-contrast)
- [mountain & desert thunderstorms](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mountain-desert-thunderstorms)
- [Omega Block](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/omega-block)
- [Record heat British Columbia](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-heat-british-columbia)
- [Wildfire Outbreak](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/wildfire-outbreak)
- [Surprise thunderstorms?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/surprise-thunderstorms)
- [humid heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/humid-heat)
- [marine heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/marine-heatwave)
- [tropical storm mario](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tropical-storm-mario)
- [thunderstorm outbreak](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/thunderstorm-outbreak)
- [hurricane remnants](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-remnants)
- [Hurricane Priscilla](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/hurricane-priscilla)
- [amplified jet stream](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/amplified-jet-stream)
- [October rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-rain-2)
- [fire-season ending rain Norcal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/fire-season-ending-rain-norcal)
- [October warmth](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/october-warmth)
- [November rains](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/november-rains)
- [mild temperatures](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/mild-temperatures)
- [major Southern California storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-southern-california-storm)
- [SoCal flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/socal-flood-risk)
- [Record moist airmass](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-moist-airmass)
- [subtropical moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/subtropical-moisture)
- [debris flow risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/debris-flow-risk)
- [tule fog](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/tule-fog)
- [very wet autumn SoCal](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/very-wet-autumn-socal)
- [a Tale of Two Temperature Regimes](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/a-tale-of-two-temperature-regimes)
- [La Nina to El Nino?](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/la-nina-to-el-nino)
- [Pacific Northwest flood risk](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/pacific-northwest-flood-risk)
- [low Sierra snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/low-sierra-snowpack)
- [December pattern shift](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/december-pattern-shift-2)
- [record low snow Sierra Nevada](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-low-snow-sierra-nevada)
- [Major pattern shift](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/major-pattern-shift)
- [holiday travel disruptions](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/holiday-travel-disruptions)
- [subtropical rain](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/subtropical-rain)
- [New Years storm](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/new-years-storm-2)
- [North American Temperature Dipole](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/north-american-temperature-dipole)
- [Warm West/Cool East](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-west-cool-east)
- [Record low Western U.S. snowpack](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-low-western-u-s-snowpack)
- [warm and dry in California](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-and-dry-in-california)
- [Great Western Snow Drought](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/great-western-snow-drought)
- [record warm winter](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-warm-winter)
- [warm west](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-west)
- [cold east](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/cold-east)
- [warm atmospheric river](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warm-atmospheric-river)
- [warming and drying trend](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/warming-and-drying-trend)
- [snowpack improvement](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/snowpack-improvement)
- [deadly avalanche](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/deadly-avalanche)
- [March heatwave](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/march-heatwave)
- [ridiculous ridge](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/ridiculous-ridge)
- [record-shattering heat](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-shattering-heat)
- [early snowmelt](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/early-snowmelt)
- [Sierra moisture](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/sierra-moisture)
- [April Uncertainty](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/april-uncertainty)
- [record warm Pacific](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/record-warm-pacific)
- [active spring pattern](https://weatherwest.com/archives/tag/active-spring-pattern)