Weather Prediction Center’s medium range forecast

Over the past couple of months, exceptional drought conditions have developed over large portions of the western UnitedStates caused by prolonged periods without measurable precipitation. It was not long ago that parts of California were literally on fire.

This past week, West Coast folks finally got some relief as rain and snow fell over portions of the Pacific Northwest and California, including the Cascades and the Sierra. As of today, winter storm warnings and advisories are up for much of the same region. The snow will be critical especially for the Central Valley of California. Annual snowmelt from the Sierra feeds the rivers and streams that farmers depend on to grow the abundant veggies and fruits that we get to enjoy across the nation.

This active weather pattern will continue for the west coast, with another area of low pressure forecast to slide southeast from the northeastern Pacific Ocean by Tuesday (see above). However, the long-term drought outlook still calls for persistence or deterioration. Either way, people out on the west coast are probably happy to see any precipitation.