Major Storm Eases Drought in California

Accuweather

By Anthony Sagliani, Meteorologist

January 30, 2014; 5:38 AM

 

As severe to extreme drought continues to grip much of California, the first significant storm since early December is bearing down upon the state.
A persistent ridge of high pressure that has been stationed over the western United States for the last several months has crumbled during the past couple of days.
This has allowed a storm track that had been sending storms into far northern Canada to dive southward, right into the Pacific Northwest and California.

While the widespread sunshine and warmth of the last few weeks may be over for now, the change in weather is marked by very beneficial, drought-easing rain and snow, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Elevations above 8,000 feet can expect snowfall amounts to exceed at least 2 feet through Friday evening. Winds will gust over 90 mph across the higher ridges.
Lower elevations, such as Lake Tahoe, can expect snowfall amounts to range from 6-12 inches through Friday.

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