The National Weather Service in Portland is monitoring a powerful storm system, referred to as a “bomb cyclone,” swirling off the U.S. West Coast. Reports indicate that power outages in Washington fluctuated significantly on Tuesday evening but decreased to approximately 460,000 by Wednesday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us. In Seattle, more than a dozen schools were closed due to the severe weather.
A prolonged spell of heavy, wet snow is anticipated to persist in the Cascades and parts of far Northern California. Meteorologists have issued warnings about blizzard conditions and whiteouts, with travel becoming nearly impossible at pass levels due to snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 centimeters) per hour and wind gusts reaching as high as 65 mph (105 kph).
In western Washington, falling trees have caused significant damage, striking homes and obstructing roads. Tragically, a woman lost her life last Tuesday night when a large tree fell on a homeless encampment in Lynnwood, as reported by South County Fire. Additionally, in Bellevue, a tree collapsed onto a house, resulting in another fatality.
The Northwest U.S. has been battered by a major storm characterized by fierce winds and rain, leading to widespread power outages, school closures, and the tragic deaths of at least two individuals. In California, the weather service has extended a flood watch into Saturday for regions north of San Francisco. Northern California and southwestern Oregon could see up to 16 inches (40 centimeters) of rain through Friday, raising concerns about flash flooding, rockslides, and debris flows.
A winter storm watch is also in effect for the northern Sierra Nevada above elevations of 3,500 feet (1,066 meters), where snowfall could reach 15 inches (28 centimeters) over two days. Wind gusts in mountainous areas may exceed 75 mph (120 kph), forecasters warn.
Last week, about 2,800 customers in Oregon were without power, along with 38,000 in California and 10,000 around Carson City and Reno, Nevada. In Reno, three schools were shut down, and semi-trucks were banned from the main highway between Reno and Carson City due to high winds. Mt. Rose Ski Resort near Lake Tahoe also suspended all chairlift operations.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid travel in northern North Dakota, while state troopers in northern Minnesota responded to multiple accidents, including jackknifed tractor-trailers on Interstate 94, as icy conditions developed.
The weather service has cautioned West Coast residents about the dangers posed by trees during high winds, advising people to stay safe by avoiding windows and exterior rooms and to exercise caution while driving.
