National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Prolonged Atmospheric River Will Impact the Northwest Early this Week

A weather system in the Pacific Northwest will produce rain throughout the day, before a potent atmospheric river produces a prolonged round of heavy rainfall, widespread urban and river flooding, and high elevation snow to the region Monday through Wednesday. Showers and thunderstorms may produce isolated damaging winds, a brief tornado, and locally heavy rainfall across parts of Florida today. Read More >

 

20 years ago (April 4-7, 1997) North Dakota was hit with a Major Blizzard, bringing much of the state to a complete halt. Heavy snowfall (as much as 2 feet in some areas), and winds to 65 MPH, resulted in widespread impacts. This included 100,000 head of cattle killed (10% of the state herd), widespread power outages, and stranded numerous motorists. Damages totaled just under 45 million dollars. The additional snow at Bismarck (17.5 inches), brought the season snowfall total to 101.4 inches. This set an all-time seasonal snowfall record for Bismarck, which still stands today.