from Snow storms In the Great Basin, tornado warnings in the Southeast and blizzard warnings in both the Plains and Pacific Northwest, many parts of the United States are under severe weather this week. What do these weather terms mean — and what can Americans expect in the forecast?
What is a blizzard?
A blizzard is an intense, but often short, period of moderate to heavy snowfall that can result in significant snow accumulation, according to the National Weather Service Glossary. Snowfall is often accompanied by strong winds and even lightning.
Zach Taylor, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center, told CBS News that a storm system moving west over the next few days will bring a strong cold front to the Great Basin and Four Corners region, bringing the risk of storms. Snowy.
These “heavy flows of snow showers produce intense snowfall rates,” and can cause snow conditions, Taylor said. “The situation can be very dangerous when there are blizzards, generally for travelers and motorists, when conditions can deteriorate rapidly due mainly to rapid rates of snowfall,” he said.
Taylor said blizzards can generally occur anywhere that experiences winter weather.
What is a tornado warning?
The NWS says tornado warnings are issued when people in affected areas should seek shelter from tornadoes immediately — even if they haven't received a tornado watch. tornado He watches It is released when the weather is suitable for hurricanes and can last from four to eight hours. These events usually occur before hurricanes to let people know they should prepare for severe weather, according to the National Weather Service.
tornado Warnings It usually lasts about 30 minutes.
Local National Weather Service offices will issue these warnings with details about the location of the hurricane and the cities that will be in its path. If the hurricane is close to the coast, a hurricane warning may also be accompanied by a special marine warning, or if there is also a thunderstorm, it may be accompanied by a flash flood warning.
The storm system that brought tornadoes to the Southeast earlier this week will end on Wednesday, Taylor said. Parts of Florida were under a state of emergency Tuesday after several hurricanes struck the state. The storms were blamed for at least four deaths.
Another strong storm system will move across the central and eastern United States later this week, Taylor told CBS News, bringing with it another risk of strong winds and tornadoes.
“With a storm system moving in starting tomorrow [Thursday] “Then continuing through Friday, there will be a risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, generally across the Mississippi Valley into parts of the Mid-South,” Taylor said, adding that Arkansas, Louisiana and eastern Texas may also be at risk. This will spread eastward through Friday, so the risk will actually extend to most of the Southeast. So, from Mississippi to North Carolina.”
He said that these areas may witness strong winds and hail, in addition to hurricanes.
What is a blizzard warning?
Blizzard warnings are issued when winter storms bring significant snowfall that can reduce visibility to a quarter-mile or less, and winds are persistent or frequent at 35 mph or higher, according to the service.
Earlier this week, parts of the plains saw blizzard warnings. “It's not very rare for conditions that lead to blizzard conditions across the Plains. They are susceptible to strong winds and winter storms — any time these storms overlap, they can produce very low visibility and wind-related snowfall.” [blizzards]“Taylor said.
On the other side of the storm system moving across the east, there will be a cold aspect that could bring blizzard conditions to parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes later this week, Taylor said. “Any time you get low pressure systems and strong winter weather, there are always going to be low visibility conditions, whiteout conditions and the potential to reach blizzard criteria.”
There are also blizzard warnings affecting parts of Washington, Oregon and Idaho, Taylor said. “Again, this is another strong storm system, very heavy, heavy snowfall. The winds will be very strong as well,” he added.
Sierra snow
A storm in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range between California's Central Valley and the Great Basin, became the second in a week on Tuesday to bring snow to the region. CBS Sacramento reports.
Storms like this are important because… They often contribute to the water supply. “the snow In the mountains in particular, it is important to alleviate drought and fill reservoirs. “It's like saving money in the bank during these events to spend in the spring when the snow melts and fills the reservoirs,” Jackie Geras, a weather channel meteorologist, told CBS News in September when California was getting relentless rain.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Lab hope the most recent snowfall in the region will make a dent in the snowpack, According to CBS Sacramento.
Taylor said the Sierra Nevada remained under winter storm warnings on Wednesday. “At some of the higher elevations of the Sierra in California, we're seeing a foot or two and even three feet of snow, which are the highest peaks. This is probably, for the winter season, one of our notable winter storms that the Sierra will do,” he said. “So far this season it has been relatively calmer, but this will be a very impactful winter storm.”
Taylor said the storm will likely lead to difficult driving conditions and even road closures.
Taylor said that while many parts of the state are not currently experiencing drought, this is the time of year when the weather can help prevent areas from turning into a “drought state.”
Coastal flooding and tides
A storm system moving up the West Coast brings strong winds “and that typically leads to favorable conditions for coastal flooding and strong waves and things like that,” Taylor said.
On Wednesday morning, the NWS issued a coastal flood warning for the Bay Area as low-lying areas are expected to be inundated due to high tides and heavy rain. CBS News Bay Area reports. What's called The blame was on the Tide King.
“Royal tide” is a non-scientific term to describe extremely high ocean tides, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Tides are affected by the gravity of the Moon and Sun, and are usually highest when the Moon is new or full.
Coastal flooding was also seen In other parts of the United States this week. Heavy rains that continued Monday through Wednesday caused flooding in parts of the central Gulf Coast across the Northeast.
Arctic air
“The thing that I think is going to be a very big story is the Arctic air,” Taylor said. “Extremely cold temperatures will fall southward — initially across the northern Rockies and then spreading southward.”
Storm systems moving through the northwestern and central United States this week are expected to bring cold temperatures behind them, he said. Parts of the northern United States could dip into the negative 20s, Taylor said. The Rockies and Plains will likely see this cold blast early next week and it will move into the eastern United States
