one weather system-two storms

While I write this the Eastern Seaboard is getting snow which is to be followed with cold temperatures. And, there is another storm brewing—this one on the West Coast and it will be hitting Southern California.

 Here is the AccuWeather forecast for January 7th:

 “This will be a dangerous and potentially destructive windstorm from the Santa Monica mountains to Hollywood, Burbank, Beverly Hills and Malibu,” said AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin. “Extreme impacts are possible in the highest elevations. Gusty winds could bring down tree limbs and power lines. We expect thousands of families to lose electricity due to public safety power shutoffs as utility crews work to minimize the risk of downed lines that can spark a wildfire. Wind damage to utility lines could also cause additional power outages.”

 Downed power lines can be a forerunner of wildfires. That particular area of California has had very little rain since March 2024. This condition with wind, low humidity and extremely dry vegetation sets up a perfect scenario for a winter wildland fire.  So far this winter, the precipitation coming off the Pacific Ocean has trended to sweep north  and hit portions of California and all of Oregon and Washington. I know that because the rain has been continuous here for weeks, 2.19” just yesterday. The rivers are running high!

 Interestingly, “AccuWeather meteorologists say the same storm that will produce the Santa Ana winds [impacting CA] is expected to evolve into a cross-country winter storm as the week progresses.

"As the storm emerges in the South-Central states late in the week, it will merge with the cold air in the Plains, producing wintery weather across the region.