Powerful Storm in the Western U.S.; Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Across the Central Gulf Coast

A powerful storm system will continue to bring heavy mountain snow, rain, and high winds to the Pacific Northwest and northern California through midweek. Heavy rain and flash flooding potential exists across the central Gulf Coast over the next few days, including the Florida Panhandle. A Slight Risk (level 2 of 4) of excessive rainfall is in effect Tuesday. Read More >

Overview

A Storm System moved northeast from the Gulf Coast States on Thursday the 11th of December, and brought with it a mix of rain, freezing rain and snow to Central PA. The precipitation lasted into the early morning of the 12th.

While the lower elevations in the Southern and Central sections of the state remained plain rain through the entire event, the ridges in the Central Mountains received heavy ice accretions from freezing rain. Most of the precipitation across the Northern Mountains fell as snow, but some icing was also seen there.

Heavy rain fell in the Lower Susquehanna Valley, and even set a record daily rainfall for the 11th at Harrisburg, where 2.29 inches of rain fell. This heavy rain created minor flooding along the Swatara Creek.


Surface map from the morning of Thursday 12-11-2008	Map of Snow and Ice Totals	Hydrograph (River Stage Time-Plot) for the Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern, PA