Coast-to-coast storm affecting 30 states through the end of the week
FOX Weather is currently tracking a storm blowing across the West Coast across the country and bringing another rainy weekend to the Northeast. Meteorologists Marissa Torres and Abbi Akon highlight rain and snow across the Pacific Northwest and the Rockies. A meteorologist highlights the heavy rains and severe storms threatening the center of the country. Torres concludes the weekend with a storm that dampens the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states.
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking a powerful storm system sweeping across the United States this week that will bring threats of heavy rain, mountain snow, severe weather and a coastal northeast storm to millions of Americans in more than 30 states from coast to coast.
A coast-to-coast storm will bring heavy rain, snow and severe weather to millions of Americans this week. (Fox Weather)
It heads northwest first as the system sweeps in from the Pacific Ocean and brings rain, possible thunderstorms and mountain snow to the region during midweek.
The Plains and Midwest will feel the effects of the storm through the middle and end of the week, with flooding, heavy rain and severe weather the main threats from the storm.
The Northeast and East Coast will be the last to feel the storm's wrath this weekend, with a coastal storm developing and moving up the coast that could bring more heavy rain and gusty winds to the region.
The storm affects the northwest with heavy rain
The first round of much-needed rain began moving toward the northwest early Monday morning, but the bulk of the rain will fall Tuesday as the storm comes ashore.
“The weather we will feel across the Northwest is not unusual,” FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. “That's what we expect this time of year in the Northwest. A little bit of a wind element and a rain element. It's just kind of rough weather in the Northwest.”
FOX Model FutureTrack shows a storm clearing the Pacific Coast late Wednesday into Thursday. (Fox Weather)
Precipitation totals will increase with elevation as it is still too warm to support widespread snowfall in the mountains.
“This is a real Pacific front with a lot of moisture,” Merwin continued. “It will hit the foothills of the Cascades, Olympic Mountains, and Coastal Range, so be prepared. There will be several inches of rain.”
There will also be mountain snow, but it will be limited to the highest peaks of the Cascades and Rocky Mountains.
“Keep in mind, this is Pacific air,” Merwin said. “It's mild. We haven't got a lot of cold air mixed in yet. So, we're talking about possible snow on the highest peaks. You're not going to drive and see that, so 'don't worry about it.'
However, some winter weather advisories have also been posted for many areas that are expected to see snow.
“Low snow levels will be over the Rocky Mountains and Wasatch Mountains,” Merwin said. “And within that, we have winter weather warnings. Winter weather warnings are being posted for Yellowstone and winter storm watches are being posted in Wyoming. Those will eventually be winter storm warnings.”
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The storm is strengthening in the plains of the Midwest
FILE – Heavy rain delays races at NASCAR Street Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. (Jim Vondruska/Bloomberg/Getty Images)
The FOX Forecast Center says the main energy from the coast-to-coast storm will move into the Plains and Midwest by mid-week.
This will support the development of a surface low pressure system, with widespread rainfall and gusty winds the main impacts of the storm. However, severe weather is also possible as the storm system moves through the area.
Severe thunderstorm, large hail, and damaging winds threaten for Wednesday, October 11, 2023. (Fox Weather)
Severe thunderstorms are possible Wednesday across parts of southeastern Nebraska, northeastern Kansas, southwestern Iowa and northwest Missouri.
Currently, the risk is at 1 out of 5 on NOAA's Storm Prediction Center (SPC) thunderstorm risk scale.
Flash flood threat on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. (Fox Weather)
Flash flooding is also possible on Wednesday when heavy rain falls. Flood risk exists throughout eastern Nebraska through central and southern Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois.
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The risk of severe weather will increase on Thursday, as areas of southeastern Nebraska and northeastern Kansas will be below Level 2 out of 5 on the SPC's thunderstorm risk scale. Parts of southwest Iowa and northwest Missouri are also below Level 2 out of 5.
Flash flood risks will be higher on Thursday, with the greatest possibility along the South Dakota-Nebraska border, northwestern Iowa and extreme southwestern Minnesota.
The flash flood risk moves to the east by Friday, with the highest risks seen in southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, around Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, and northern Illinois, including Chicago and western Michigan.
Ultimately, a broad area from the Plains to the Midwest could see 2 to 3 inches of rain, while the South Dakota-Nebraska border areas, eastern Minnesota and southern Wisconsin could see 3 to 5 inches of rain.
A coastal storm could impact the Northeast this weekend
This weekend is expected to bring another rain shower for millions in the Northeast and New England.
The FOX Forecast Center says a coast-to-coast storm system will reach the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes region and Northeast by Saturday.
New York, Boston It rains almost every weekend this summer. The fall got off to a similar start
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 25: People walk over the Brooklyn Bridge during heavy rain and high winds as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia continue to move through the area on September 25, 2023 in New York City. Much of the northeastern United States saw a weekend of heavy rain and wind as the slow-moving storm continued from the Carolinas to New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
There is also the possibility that the storm system will transfer its energy into an offshore depression, which could bring additional heavy rain and gusty winds to parts of the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England.
Temperatures at this time of year are generally too warm to support snow, which is why the FOX Forecast Center will often track the potential for flooding in the area.
Parts of New York are experiencing their wettest day on record as flooding threatens subways and streets
Several inches of rain could fall in the Northeast and New England by the time the system moves out of the region, with the highest totals falling between 2 and 3 inches along the Interstate 95 corridor from around the Philadelphia area through New York City and into Providence, Rhode Island. And Boston. Locally higher amounts of 3 to 5 inches are also possible in some areas.
It will be the 14th rainy weekend in the Northeast since the beginning of June.
Regardless of how it develops, the system is expected to move out of the area by Monday, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
