Huge storms threaten 1,000-mile deluge across America
A “procession” of storms directed onto the Pacific Gulf Coast by a ferocious jet stream threatens to sweep a 1,000-mile-long deluge across the United States.
Western states could dump nearly a foot of rain this week, as at least three major storm systems dump their load on the region.
Experts say the storms will hit as Arctic temperatures drop by minus 10 degrees Celsius, bringing an additional threat of snow.
Heavy rain extending from coastal states including California through Oregon and Colorado will hit the region this week.
Low pressure is hovering around the northwest coast
Weather channel
Flooding will be a “major concern” according to experts who blame the supercharged jet stream with warm sea temperatures beneath cold winter air currents.
“There are at least two or three storms being pulled to the West Coast by the jet stream that is currently being activated with air temperatures over the ocean falling above average,” said Jim Dale, a US weather correspondent and meteorologist with the British Weather Service. Temperatures.
“It will fall very heavy rain, and throughout Wisconsin, Oregon, California and even into Colorado, flooding will be a big concern through the rest of the week.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see 10 inches of rain in chunks, maybe a little bit more, and that will come in spades rather than chunks.”
He added that the jet stream will turn into a “conveyor belt”, which will also cause strong winds in exposed areas.
The volatile weather patterns were driven by tropical moisture sweeping north from the Gulf of Mexico to bitter air from the Arctic.
The flowing jet stream pushing cold air over the Rockies caused temperatures to drop and storms to form.
Low pressure systems will arrive successively over the coming days from the Gulf of Alaska.
The Northwest Coast and surrounding states will bear the brunt of the deluge, facing a “parade of storms,” according to the Weather Channel.
“Everyone is on board the rain train in the Northwest,” said Aurelone Sidney, a meteorologist with the Weather Channel.
“We have low-pressure storms coming out of the Gulf of Alaska heading to the northwest.
“It’s breezy, and of course the conditions are cold, so we’re probably looking at snow over the highest elevations, and we’ll see some heavy rain.
“When the winds pick up, you’ll know the next low pressure is moving in, then the winds will calm down, then pick up again, and that way you’ll know the next low pressure is on your doorstep.”
Also seen on the southern coast is another tropical disturbance that forecasters warn could bring “dangerous conditions.”
Tropical Storm Pilar is currently heading toward the Baja California Peninsula on a northwesterly track across the Pacific Ocean.
It is expected to disappear by mid-week, according to the National Hurricane Center (NOAA), after winds reach 50 mph.
A NOAA spokesperson said: “Pilar is moving toward the west-northwest at 8 mph (13 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue through (Sunday night).
“Northwestward movement is expected to begin early Monday and continue until then
midweek.
“Gradual weakening is expected over the next few days, and Pilar is expected to become lower by Tuesday.”
