Futurecast for North/West U.S., Will More Rain Verify in Drought-Stricken Portions of U.S.? (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)

Image 1.1 Courtesy: NCAR operated by UCAR

DISCUSSION: As a deep low pressure system churns in the Northwest Pacific, Meteorologists are intrigued as the days near for verification of the next major system to hit the United States. As early as this weekend we will be seeing the intrusion of several low pressure systems that if verified are expected to bring cooler than average temperatures, rain and snow from the Western US through the Midwest.
 
View Image 1.1, showing the 48 hour forecast valid for 1200 UTC Friday, November 25th with the large area of three low pressure systems off the coast of western Washington extending to northern California. Viewing image 1.2, the 102 hour GFS forecast valid 1800 UTC, Sunday November 27th, depicted 6 hour precipitation accumulation, if valid we could see another significant rain event in California, which would have brought rain to the area two weekends in a row. This same system is expected to bring rain to warmer low elevations of California, while eastern locations into Nevada could see snow, which would also extend into Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and northern Arizona.
 
To view additional maps and models visit the NOAA NWS Weather Prediction Center. Stay tuned to the Global Weather and Climate Center for more information on these low pressure systems and frontal movement that is expected to impact the western half of the United States later this week.

~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen

Image 1.2 Courtesy: NOAA NWS WPC

Image Courtesy: NOAA NWS WPC