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Back-to-Back Pacific Storms to Impact the West Coast; Heavy Snow in the Central Appalachians

Back-to-back powerful Pacific storm systems to impact the Pacific Northwest and northern California through the end of this week with heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and higher elevation mountain snow. A strong, long-duration atmospheric river will accompany the Pacific storms, bringing excessive rainfall and flash flooding to southwest Oregon and northwest California through the week. Read More >

Overview

A winter storm affected all of Upper Michigan the weekend of January 18-19, 2020. Light snow began late Friday night January 17, then became heavy over central and eastern parts of Upper Michigan the following morning. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour were observed in many locations. Lake-enhancement from Lake Michigan also contributed to heavier snowfall rates in areas downwind of the lake.

Snow tapered off Saturday afternoon in most areas, but transitioned to lake-effect snow bands in the north wind snow belts that continued through Saturday night. The highest snow amounts were on the Keweenaw Peninsula where east wind contributed to lake enhancement Saturday morning, and then lake-effect continued through Saturday night. Higher totals were also observed along the rest of the western shore of Upper Michigan down to Ironwood.


Loop of radar images and Mean Sea Level Pressure analysis for the storm

 

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