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Residents in California urged to shelter in place as possible record 12ft of snow forecast to be dumped over weekendA dangerous winter storm has arrived in California, battering the Sierra Nevada with snowfall, gale-force winds and blizzard conditions as authorities urge residents to shelter in place and prepare for power outages.Perilous conditions in the mountain region are expected to get significantly worse on Friday...

This blog is now closedCalifornia is grappling with another round of strong storms this week and the dangerous potential for flash flooding, landslides, and furious winds expected to come with them.Much like last year, when record rainfall lashed the state, the storms are attributed to atmospheric rivers (ARs), systems that have long played a role in California’s precipitation levels – both for good and...

Roads were flooded and trees toppled amid calls for people to get ready for powerful downpours, heavy snow and damaging windsWhat are the atmospheric rivers hitting California right now?The first of two severe storms drenched California on Thursday, bringing intense downpours that flooded roads and toppled trees. But the worst is far from over – officials warned residents to prepare for a “significant threat”...

Cold snap continues from south to Pacific north-west, with thaw not expected until next weekThe deep freeze affecting millions of people across the US is continuing this weekend, as bitterly frigid air spilled into the midwest from Canada amid high winds that could make it feel like -30F (-34C) outside in some areas.The list of severe weather events was growing as the US struggled...

Extreme cold warning issued in Canada as US forecasters warn of wind chills in Texas and major snow in midwest and east coastA “bitter” blast of cold Arctic air is set to bring dangerously frigid temperatures to swaths of North America, forecasters have warned.In Canada, frigid Arctic air is being pushed from the Northwest Territories down into the province of Alberta, where Environment Canada...