Today's Weather Outlook

Wet weather takes aim at Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, and northern California.

In the Western U.S. an upper-level weather system will be strengthening off the West Coast. This weather system will transport plenty of tropical moisture along an atmospheric river into the Northwest. Precipitation will become increasingly likely from southwest-to-northeast throughout the day, starting first in northern California and then spreading into the northern Rockies.

Rain is expected across most of northern California as well as western Washington and western Oregon. Much of the interior Northwest and Great Basin will just see rain or a rain/snow mix. The higher terrain could see some wet snow though at times. It will be just snow for the Cascades, the northern Sierra Nevada and the northern Rockies. 

However, all of these areas will see impacts from this system. Heavy rain will be a concern for the coast and lower elevations. With the soil already being saturated, flooding will be a concern, especially near rivers, creeks and streams as well as other low-lying and more flood prone areas. With the potential for moderate to heavy snowfall, roads will likely turn slick, icy and snow-packed, especially over the tallest passes. Gusty winds could also lead to some areas of blowing and drifting snow. 

A weakening low pressure system will drift across southeastern Canada for the end of the weekend. Flurries or a few light snow showers will be possible across the Great Lakes and Northeast. Persistent northwesterly winds will also ramp up today, which could cause snow to be enhanced from the lake-effect. The best chance for snow will be in the morning and afternoon, but there could be lingering snow into the evening. 

A surge of moisture from the Gulf will combine with a weather disturbance over the Deep South. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible as a result. While possible throughout the day, the best chance for showers and storms will be from late morning into the early evening. 

High pressure will keep the weather dry and quiet across southern California into the Southwest along with the rest of the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. 

The coldest spots today will be the Upper Mississippi Valley and Great Lakes, with temperatures only reaching single digits and teens. Expect 20s and 30s for the far northern Plains, Ohio Valley and interior Northeast as well as the higher elevations of the Mountain West. Forties and 50s will be in store for the lower elevations of the Mountain West, the rest of the northern and central Plains, Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic and southern New England. Much of southern California and Desert Southwest into the southern Plains and Southeast will report highs in the 60s and 70s, with isolated 80s possible for the typical warm spots of the Desert Southwest, southern Texas and southern Florida.