Forecasters are warning of more high winds and heavy rain in the Pacific Northwest and California. Washington state experienced power outages affecting more than 200,000 homes and businesses due to winds of up to 70 mph from a “bomb cyclone.” Two people were killed by falling trees in the storm. More strong winds are expected in the region, with forecasts of 45 to 65 mph winds starting on Friday. In California, an “atmospheric river” brought heavy rain, leading to the threat of life-threatening floods, particularly in Santa Rosa. The storm also brought snow to the Sierra Nevada region.
In addition to the West Coast, around 14 million people in New York state and Pennsylvania were under winter storm warnings or advisories, with snow on the way in some areas. New York City was not under advisories, but northeastern New Jersey and the lower Hudson Valley were. The Johnstown, Pennsylvania area could see up to a foot of snow, while upstate New York regions like Binghamton and Ithaca could get 1 to 4 inches in the valleys and up to a foot at higher elevations. This winter weather was expected to continue until Saturday in some areas. Overall, the severe weather conditions were impacting a large portion of the U.S. and causing disruptions and hazards.
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