A strong cut-off low pressure system just off the West Coast is pounding the entire state of California and the Western Rocky Mountain region with insanely heavy rain and snow (generally above ~6000-8000 feet depending on location and rate of warm advection ahead of the system), as a strong low-level jet pumps Pacific moisture northeastward. Intense orographic enhancement is also occurring along the Sierra Nevada Mountains and coastal ranges, as this strong, moist southerly flow is forced upward. Thus, the west and south facing slopes will receive the most significant precipitation amounts from this storm.


As much as 4 inches of rain fell last night over parts of Southern California, with the highest amounts - read complete story.....