Many Californians and Oregonians saw rain, snow and strong winds again Tuesday, as another winter storm battered already saturated states.
Up to 4 feet of snow was possible Tuesday in some parts of Northern California, along with winds of up to 65 mph.
As of midday Tuesday, strong winds from the storm had knocked out power to about 35,000 customers in California and another 7,000 in Oregon, according to poweroutage.us.
The storm is not expected to dissipate after hitting the Golden State. It is also expected to bring severe weather across the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley by Thursday and especially Friday, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
In parts of the South, rain continued Tuesday, bringing heavy rain from Louisiana to the Carolinas. The region is recovering from a wave of tornadoes that struck the Mississippi Delta region in recent days, killing more than 20 people.
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A line of heavy rain and thunderstorms is heading toward the northern coast
Along the Oregon coast and northern California, a line of heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms is expected to bring “locally heavy rain” and gusty winds Tuesday night, according to the National Weather Service in Eureka, California.
The Meteorological Service warned that thunderstorms could cause small hailstones and lightning bolts from the clouds to the ground.
Parts of the Bay Area were already under flood warnings Tuesday with wind gusts expected to reach 55 mph, according to the weather service.
Storm Barrel in California, Oregon
Winter storm conditions extended from central California to Oregon on Tuesday, with snow accumulations expected to reach 4 feet in some areas.
“Severe winter storm impacts are expected in the Sierra Nevada Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday evening due to snowfall and snowpack, with up to 4 feet of snow,” the National Weather Service in Hanford, California, said. “Travel is not recommended.”
A winter storm warning was in effect through Wednesday morning for parts of Northern California. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet are possible in the Mount Shasta area, with some places getting up to 4 feet and wind gusts up to 65 mph.
Up to 4 feet of snow is also expected in western Plumas County and surrounding areas, with a winter storm warning extended until 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Sacramento Weather Service warned that travel in the area may be “impossible,” with strong winds expected to damage trees.
If people must travel, they should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their cars, officials said.
The California Highway Patrol in Truckee, California, announced the closure of portions of Interstate 80 near Nevada due to multiple breakouts on Tuesday amid heavy snowfall.
More wet weather forecast for the south
Dangerous flash flooding that hit parts of the southern and central U.S. last week and into the weekend has not completely stopped, with a wet pattern continuing Tuesday, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
Heavy rain, with the possibility of flash floods and severe thunderstorms, extended from Louisiana to the Carolina coast until Tuesday, reaching southern Florida.
Rainfall totals of more than 2 inches are expected in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina through Tuesday night.
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Winter storm tracking
National weather radar
Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers, Jordan Mendoza; USA Today
