Weekend Weather Spotlight: 12-24-21

An active pattern will be in place across much of the country through the weekend producing rain and several inches of snow. 

First, the western third of the country will be very active as waves of energy build in from the Pacific producing periods of rain and snow. Several inches of snow are likely on the mountains, and a few inches of snow are even possible for areas along I-5 in WA, OR, and far northern CA including cities such as Seattle and Portland. On and off rain showers are expected for cities such as LA, San Diego, Phoenix. and Las Vegas. 

Heading east into the middle of the country a couple of rounds of snow are expected for the Dakotas, northern MN, northern WI, and the UP of MI. Models are not in agreement yet with snow amounts, but several inches are possible in ND, northern SD, northern MN, and northern WI. 

Finally, as we get into the eastern third of the country precipitation mode looks to primarily be rain with the exception of southern New England early today where an inch or two are possible, and then Saturday afternoon/night a few inches of snow are possible in northern New England. The bulk of the rain is expected to occur from northern MO/southeast IA east to southern New England with some heavy downpours possible. Further south into the Southern Plains and Southeast and rain looks quite light and more isolated.