Millions of residents in California were steeling themselves for the downpour from yet another atmospheric river sweeping through the state, which in recent weeks has been slammed with unrelenting, and historic storms.
Meanwhile, residents in the New York and other East Coast states readied for rough weather as a nor’easter began to trudge its way to the Atlantic Ocean.
“Increasingly stormy weather is expected to impact both the West and the East Coasts simultaneously over the next couple of days with the arrival of two separate but potent low pressure systems,” the National Weather Service said.
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Atmospheric River brings more rain, snow to California
More than half of the Golden State’s territory was covered by a wind, flood or winter storm watch, warning or advisory late Sunday into Monday as a frontal system in the Pacific Northwest shifted south toward California, the NWS said.
A strong low pressure system was expected to bring heavy rains to the Bay Area and central California, along with significant snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, according to the NWS.
“Excessive runoff from heavy rain and snow melt may result in flooding of roadways, rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks,” NWS Sacramento said in its flood watch advisory, which extends into Wednesday. “Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas, especially where snow pack is blocking drains and culverts.”
FEMA resources mobilized in California
In Southern California, communities were still reeling from the effects of the brutal blizzard that struck the Los Angeles and San Bernardino mountains two weeks ago. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in more than a dozen counties, including San Bernardino County, where officials have worked to reach people trapped inside snow residences.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Friday it would provide assistance to the region.
Nor’easter coming this week
A winter storm watch was set to go into effect for parts of New York Monday evening. The NWS in New York said heavy snowfall was possible in Orange, Putnam, Passaic and Northern Fairfield counties in New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The storm watch said it expected 6 to 10 inches of snow accumulation in some areas, along with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour Monday evening. Officials warned the severe weather could complicate travel.
A winter storm warning was set to go into effect Monday in central and eastern New York and in parts of Massachusetts, with the NWS in Albany predicting heavy snow with accumulations of 10 to 20 inches and winds as strong as 45 mph in some areas.
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Winter storms in the North
Large swaths of Wisconsin and Minnesota remained under winter storm warnings Monday morning and afternoon as the region emerged from a weekend of substantial snowfall.
The NWS in Green Bay said Green Bay and nearby Wisconsin communities could expect an additional three to eight inches of snowfall by Monday morning, and warned residents of slippery road conditions. The region had already seen 3 to 6 inches of snow over the weekend.
Winter storm tracker
Contributing: Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press