TOLEDO, Ohio — The rush of holiday activities and family gatherings is in full effect this week. As Thanksgiving inches closer, the brisk weather is a reminder that wintry conditions are coming.
This past week and the upcoming week have seen several winter storms in the US and around the world. On this week’s WTOL 11 Weather Impact, we break down the top three recent weather events globally, including a significant weather event that could impact the US during Thanksgiving.
Weather Event #3: California Atmospheric River
Around this time of year, the Pacific Northwest and West Coast are often affected by a weather phenomenon called an “atmospheric river.” It sounds weird, right? Well, it looks exactly what it sounds like when you say it aloud. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), atmospheric rivers are long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that transport most of the water vapor outside the tropics. They can carry an amount of water vapor equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Exceptionally strong atmospheric rivers can transport up to 15 times that amount. When they make landfall, they often release this water vapor as rain or snow.
This past weekend and this holiday week, California has been heavily impacted by record rainfall and significant snowfall in the Sierra Mountains. An additional 3-5 feet of fresh snow is expected in parts of East California this week as the atmospheric river continues to blanket the state. We will continue to monitor this situation as many areas are affected by torrential downpours and heavy snow.
Weather Event #2: Storm Bert Brings Rain and Snow to the UK
As we take a trip across the pond over to the UK, several areas and flights have been impacted by rain and snow as Storm Bert rolled in this past weekend. Similar to the atmospheric river in California, this system has caused travel disruptions.
According to the BBC, Storm Bert has brought heavy snowfall, rain and high winds, causing widespread disruption. Snow has fallen across Scotland and parts of northern and central England, alongside heavy rain and wind in southern England and Wales. Yellow weather warnings remain in place after an earlier amber warning was lifted, and communities have been warned of flooding and power cuts.
Travel routes are heavily disrupted with train cancellations and road closures. With more rain in the forecast, there will be little relief as this system continues to bring steady rain showers to the UK.
Weather Event #1: Thanksgiving Weather System expected to race across the US
We are watching for the next big system to roll across the US, expected to impact millions this Thanksgiving week. Currently, this system is centered over California as an atmospheric river. Ahead of Thanksgiving, the Rockies and areas of Colorado will be impacted by snow. Our sister station in Denver forecasts 1-2 feet of snow in the Colorado mountains, with several inches expected at lower elevations, adding to holiday travel headaches.
As this system moves east, the Midwest and East Coast will experience a wet Thanksgiving, especially in Toledo. The Carolinas could see 1-2 inches of rainfall on Thanksgiving. As the low-pressure system shifts northeast, it could bring a rain/snow mix to New England, leading to sloppy weather on Black Friday.
This system will be followed by an Arctic blast, bringing frigid and snowy conditions into the weekend. The aftermath is expected to bring heavy lake-effect snow showers to the Great Lakes region.
Although forecast models are still uncertain, several inches to feet of snow are possible for areas just east of the Great Lakes as extremely cold weather settles in for the start of December.
