Powerful storm off Pac Northwest coast (yes, another bomb cyclone) has driven heavy rain, mountain snow into northern Calif to Washington. It's also catalyst for storm that will develop in Plains with snow/high winds in Dakotas, N Minnesota late week. wapo.st/3khWqRF 1/x
Pacific Northwest really getting hammered with precipiation--this is very typical of La Ninas. Map here is forecast precip through Friday morning: 2/x
As storm develops in northern Plains/Upper Midwest, heavy snow and strong winds likely to be big issue for northeast North Dakota and northern Minnesota, Thursday night and Friday - specific amounts still coming into focus. La Nina also favors harsh winter in this area: 3/x
Storm system coming across country will drag cold front with heavy rain from Central States to East Coast between Wednesday and Friday, and drop temps 10 to 20 degrees. 4/4
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DC winter outlook THREAD: First, let's share our snowfall map--these are our predicted amounts for the ENTIRE winter. While not particularly impressive, they would beat last winter's totals: 1/x
An important note on the snowfall forecast: While we're predicting below-average amounts for the 5th time in the past 6 winters, it would just take one blockbuster storm to surpass it. The thing is though, La Ninas - which we have this year - lower the odds of a big snow. 2/x
During La Ninas, winter storms tend to track to our west, drawing in mild air from the south. So we can get some snow, but usually in modest amounts before it changes to ice and rain. 3/x
The warm weather has been holding back fall colors in the Mid-Atlantic; you have to head high into the mountains to see much. BUT... cooler temperatures inbound should help to move colors along in the next week: wapo.st/3j5n3c9
Generally the best color right now is 2-3+ hours west of DC, at elevations above 2,000 feet... like right here:
Who's ready for the return of fall-like weather? This graphic shows the predicted 24 hour temperature change Saturday into Sunday. Here's our article on the big transition: wapo.st/2XgGdUN (1/x)
Along the big cold front coming east, there is an elevated chance of strong to severe storms, today in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys and in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Saturday. (2/x)
Got outdoor plans Saturday afternoon around Richmond/DC/Baltimore/Philly? Be prepared for an interruption. Gusty showers/storms probable mid-late-afternoon. Shouldn't last long. (3/x)
COLD West, WARM East - look at the temperatures this morning - substantially colder in Arizona than Maine. Here's our story on this remarkable divide: wapo.st/3BH3RbM ... And we have a few more stats to share...THREAD (1/x)
The storm that drew the cold air into the West was a BIG snow producer. Up to 28" in Montana and 27" in western South Dakota. Impressive 3-day totals shown on this map. (2/x)
Caribou, Maine yesterday set a record high of 77 degrees and was warmer than Phoenix, which only made it to 75. (3/x)
The contrasting weather between the western and eastern U.S. is rather remarkable. Consider this: Phoenix and Las Vegas have been colder than Chicago and Boston recent mornings: wapo.st/3BH3RbM (1/x)
LOTS of snow has been falling in the West. Up to 28" in Montana and amounts over a foot in the mountains of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. Western South Dakota hammered with blizzard conditions today - up to 22" of 70+ mph winds. (2/x)
Meanwhile, it's been warm in the East for 10 days and is about to get warmer! Predicted highs on Friday. (3/x)
The South Pole just had its most severe cold season on record (back to 1957). We were frankly *shocked* to learn & confirm this was true while reporting this story. But the science is fascinating & in no way refutes the reality of global warming: wapo.st/3ioZfjd 1/x
We should give credit to @pinturicchio_60 who (we believe) first posted this. We weren't sure it was legit but talked to several researchers and it checks out:
So how cold was it at the South Pole? The average temperature over the last six months was MINUS-78 degrees!!! At times, it was around MINUS-100. (3/x)