California weather — Flood and avalanches warning amid ‘life and death’ warning for homeless people

California weathered a punishing weekend of heavy snow, torrential rain and bitterly cold temperatures.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the conditions were posed “a matter of life or death for many of our unhoused neighbors,” and asked resident to help those without permanent shelter find emergency lodgings during the storm.

The storms triggered the state’s first blizzard warning since 1989 with record snowfall forecast in some high-elevation areas. Up to 8ft of snow was forecasted to fall in the mountains outside of Los Angeles on the storm’s second day. The National Weather Service warned that travel would be very difficult to impossible.

The storm also brought the threat of ocean water spouts and land-based tornadoes in the Los Angeles area of southeast Santa Barbara and southern Ventura counties.

A coast-to-coast winter storm pummeled much of the western and northern United States, styming travel plans and leaving nearly 1million people without power.

But the country was a landscape of climate extremes: While deep Arctic air caused temperatures to plummet as much as 30 to 40 degrees below average in parts of the West and Plains, the US also experienced its first 100-degree day of 2023. Falcon Lake in Texas hit 100F on Wednesday as temperature records were broken across the Southwest.

Key points so far

• Weather warnings and advisories issued in two dozen states by the National Weather Service

• Flight woes continue on Thursday

California to get rare blizzard

Wednesday 22 February 2023 15:33 , Louise Boyle

In California, a rare blizzard warning was issued for mountains in Los Angeles County and Ventura County from early on Friday morning until Saturday afternoon.

In the meantime, California can expect yet more rainfall after being deluged by a wave of atmospheric rivers at the beginning of the year.

Moderate rainfall, but heavy in some spots, and thunderstorms are forecast in the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday before moving south and settling over California on Thursday.

Twin cities to get slammed by historic storm

Wednesday 22 February 2023 15:37 , Louise Boyle

In the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, the first round of wintry conditions dropped three to five inches of snow across the area. The flurries will pick up in intensity by Wednesday afternoon, NWS reported.

The February record of 13.8 inches of snow from a single storm in Minneapolis “is likely to be smashed,” reported AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Benz.

Flight cancellations pile up at US airports

Wednesday 22 February 2023 15:53 , Louise Boyle

Travel woes were beginning to mount up at US airports on Wednesday morning as the severe weather conditions took hold.

More than 1,000 flights had been cancelled in the US and another 1,000 or so delayed, according to FlightAware.

The worst affected airports were in Minneapolis-St Paul, Denver and Detroit.

St Paul sees dangerous whiteout conditions

Wednesday 22 February 2023 16:07 , Louise Boyle

While the Midwest shivers, record-breaking heat in Florida

Wednesday 22 February 2023 16:18 , Louise Boyle

While temperatures plummeted in the northern half of the United States on Wednesday further south, daily high temperature records were being matched or broken.

In Marathon, Florida, the daily high temperature record was tied for the second day in a row as the town hit 86F on Tuesday.

Businesses, schools shuttered and roads closed

Wednesday 22 February 2023 16:33 , Louise Boyle

Many schools throughout the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin were called off for Wednesday, ahead of the storm, The Associated Press reports.

Offices closed, and so did the Minnesota Legislature. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem shut down state executive branch offices in several parts of the state, and employees were working remotely.

In Wyoming, virtually every road was impacted, and many were closed. Officials warned they may stay that way for days.

Associated Press

Watch: Weather forecast as coast-to-coast storm hits the US

Wednesday 22 February 2023 16:52 , Louise Boyle

Winter weather makes travel hazardous in Arizona

Wednesday 22 February 2023 17:10 , Louise Boyle

Arizonans were being strongly advised against getting on the road on Wednesday by the state’s department of transport as they shared pictures of whiteout conditions caused by the storm.

Crews were removing downed trees from the Arizona 260, a scenic highway running east–west through the middle of the state.

“If you do decide to travel, be prepared for lengthy delays due to impassable roads,” the transport department tweeted.

North of the border, more winter storm warnings

Wednesday 22 February 2023 17:31 , Louise Boyle

North of the border, Canadians were also receiving alerts due to the severe winter weather conditions caused by the Arctic blast.

Toronto was under a winter storm warning on Wednesday with up to 12 inches of snow possible in the Ontario city by Thursday night, CTV reported.

Three killed in avalanche in Cascade Mountains as heavy snow blocks rescuers

Wednesday 22 February 2023 17:49 , Louise Boyle

Heavy snowfall and high winds on Tuesday kept searchers away from a remote, jagged peak in Washington’s Cascade Mountains, where an avalanche killed three climbers from the northeastern US over the weekend.

The slide struck Sunday as a group of six climbers were ascending a steep, snow-packed gulley on the 8,705-foot Colchuck Peak, about 70 miles east of Seattle in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Chelan County sheriff’s Sgt. Jason Reinfeld said Tuesday.

Four of the climbers were swept about 500 feet down the slope. One of the four survived, a 56-year-old man from New York, and despite some injuries he was able to confirm that the other three were killed before working his way back to their base camp at Colchuck Lake, Mr Reinfeld said.

Three killed in avalanche in Cascade Mountains as heavy snow blocks body recovery

AP

Winter storm in pictures: Snow plows on the move

Wednesday 22 February 2023 18:09 , Louise Boyle

More than 1,000 flights cancelled over historic winter storm - here’s what you need to know

Wednesday 22 February 2023 18:33 , Louise Boyle

More than 1,000 flights have been cancelled in the United States as a severe winter storm brings heavy snowfall and dangerous whiteout conditions to parts of the country.

The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue weather warnings in more than two dozen states, began Tuesday and is set to worsen Wednesday as it stretches from coast to coast.

The winter storm has already impacted travel, with flight tracking site FlightAware reporting that more than 1,100 flights were already cancelled in the US Wednesday morning. An additional 1,382 were delayed as of 10.54am ET.

Chelsea Ritschel reports.

How can you find out whether your flight is cancelled and what are your rights?

‘An axis of heavy snow'

Wednesday 22 February 2023 18:51 , Louise Boyle

The arrival of a large arctic air mass from Canada was delivering an “axis of heavy snow” to many parts of the northern US, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported on Wednesday.

The snow will continue to move east across the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes today.

More than a foot of snowfall is likely from South Dakota heading east throught southern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, NWS reported.

Southern Minnesota could see two feet of snow, forecasters said, amid dangerous blizzard conditions on roads and possible power outages.

Snow will start making an appearance in the Northeast and New England late on Wednesday into Thursday.

An estimated four to eight inches of snow is forecast from Upstate New York into central New England. Over a foot is possible at higher elevations in New York’s Adirondacks and the Green and White Mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Winter Storm Olive in pictures: Shivering from state to state

Wednesday 22 February 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

UK supermarkets ration fruit and vegetables after suppliers badly hit by winter weather

Wednesday 22 February 2023 19:33 , Louise Boyle

In the UK, grocery stores are rationing fresh food items in a move that is expected to last weeks.

A poor harvest in Europe means that major supermarket chain Asda is now limiting customers to a maximum of three items like peppers, lettuce and broccoli.

Morrisons supermarkets will also start a ban of more than two items this week, with limited produce including tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers.

Supplies from Britain’s major winter source, Spain, have also been badly affected by weather.

Growers and suppliers in Morocco also have had to contend with cold temperatures, heavy rain, flooding and cancelled ferries over the past three to four weeks – all of which have affected the volume of fruit reaching Britain.

Rich Booth and Eleanor Noyce report.

Supermarket issues warning as it rations fruit and vegetables

Pictured: Winter Storm Olive

Wednesday 22 February 2023 19:51 , Louise Boyle

For those without snow - there’s rain and strong winds

Wednesday 22 February 2023 20:10 , Louise Boyle

Widespread showers and thunderstorms were on the radar for those not being pummelled by heavy snowfall, the National Weather Service said on Wednesday.

There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall from northeast Missouri into northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Michigan and some spots of flash flooding.

Severe weather was also a risk from central Oklahoma northeast through central Missouri with blustery winds. Gusts of 35-45 mph are possible for the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.

Parts of the west and High Plains will experience strong winds of 50-60 mph too, and as high as 80 mph in some locations. The risk of weather that can spark fires will be elevated across the southern High Plains.

Winter Storm Olive in pictures: Shivering from state to state (part II)

Wednesday 22 February 2023 20:31 , Louise Boyle

Thousands of Californians plunged into darkness due to fire

Wednesday 22 February 2023 20:50 , Louise Boyle

With more severe weather forecast for California, residents in Oakland had already had their share of issues after being left in the dark due to a fire earlier this week.

The blaze at a PG&E substation caused widespread power outages in the region when it broke out on Sunday and damaged a transformer.

Graig Graziosi has more at the link below.

Thousands of California residents plunged into darkness after fire at PG&E substation

Which parts of the country will have most severe impacts from Winter Storm Olive?

Wednesday 22 February 2023 21:10 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service has issued a “Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI)” Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, showing where moderate, major and extreme winter weather impacts are expected from the West Coast to New England.

The NWS also noted that travel is not advised in the Upper Midwest due to blizzard conditions.

Watch: Wild weather blasts Southern California amid rare blizzard warning

Wednesday 22 February 2023 21:30 , Louise Boyle

Storm to bring high winds to Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada

Wednesday 22 February 2023 21:50 , Louise Boyle

A winter storm making its way through the western US is expected to carry winds capable of downing power lines and trees in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada, while dropping rain and snow, The Associated Press reported.

Gusts could hit 55mph in metropolitan Phoenix on Wednesday and even higher in Prescott and Flagstaff to the north, at 70 mph, the National Weather Service said.

Up to a foot of snow is expected by Thursday morning in elevations above 5,000 feet in Arizona, forecasters said.

Some schools in Flagstaff announced closures ahead of the storm that’s expected to hit Arizona on Tuesday night. Weather forecasters and local and state officials encouraged drivers to stay off the roads.

“Damaging winds and treacherous to impossible driving conditions are expected due to blowing dust and snow,” the weather service in Flagstaff said.

The storm system will carry over into New Mexico with high winds, rain and possibly snow across the state Wednesday, including in the Albuquerque area.

A high wind warning is in effect for most of New Mexico through Thursday morning, with wind gusts of up to 70 mph, the weather service there said.

Associated Press

Storm waves strike California’s beaches

Wednesday 22 February 2023 22:11 , Louise Boyle

Sun Country Airlines issues flight waivers for snow-impacted flights

Wednesday 22 February 2023 22:33 , Louise Boyle

Sun Country Airlines has announced waivers for flights impacted by Winter Storm Olive in parts of the Midwest.

The company will allow passengers who bought tickets to/from Minnesota’s Minneapolis/St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth airports; and Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Green Bay, to rebook to another Sun Country flight one time with no additional cost, if they meet the conditions listed here.

Watch: ‘Crazy’ snow day caught on cameria in Flagstaff, Arizona

Wednesday 22 February 2023 23:33 , Louise Boyle

Dangerous ice accumulations

Thursday 23 February 2023 00:33 , Louise Boyle

A dangerous build-up of ice will accompany the snowy conditions in many parts of the US, the National Weather Service reported on Wednesday.

A combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected across the Upper Mississippi Valley and into the Lower Great Lakes, with lighter accumulations heading east across the Central and Northern Appalachians and southern New England.

Ice accumulations of 0.1-0.25 inches are expected with more than 0.5 inches possible in some places, especially across the Lower Great Lakes overnight into Thursday.

New York officials warn of dangerous conditions on the road from Winter Storm Olive

Thursday 23 February 2023 01:30 , Louise Boyle

New York officials including Governor Kathy Hochul were warning citizens to take extreme precautions on the roads as Winter Storm Olive hit the state with ice, snow squalls and freezing rain.

“A winter storm is bringing a mix of snow, rain, and freezing rain to much of the state this afternoon. New Yorkers: Please be careful traveling tonight and through tomorrow morning’s commute. If you’re driving, take it slow and don’t crowd the plows,” Gov. Hochul tweeted.

Travel conditions will deteriorate from south to north from Wednesday afternoon as snow overspreads the area and begins to change to a wintry mix. Be prepared for a slow and slippery drive home in many areas this afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service added.

Pictured: Winter Storm Olive drops heavy snow in parts of US

Thursday 23 February 2023 02:34 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Late Winter Storm Olive disrupts more than 1,000 flights

Thursday 23 February 2023 03:33 , Louise Boyle

What is a snow squall?

Thursday 23 February 2023 04:34 , Louise Boyle

Warnings of snow squall conditions were being issued in the United States on Wednesday as the “historic” Winter Storm Olive tightened its grip.

But what is the lesser-known weather phenomenon?

What is a snow squall?

Strong winds batter California with more wintry weather on the way

Thursday 23 February 2023 05:34 , Louise Boyle

Powerful winds were the biggest and most imminent problem in California, toppling trees and power lines.

More than 109,000 customers were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us, on Wednesday morning.

A one-year-old child was critically injured when a redwood crashed onto a home in Boulder Creek, a community in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco, KTVU reported.

Chief Mark Bingham of the local fire protection district said crews had to cut up the tree to free the victim.

And more is on the way. A blizzard warning was issued for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, effective from 4am on Thursday to 4pm on Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

The Associated Press

Powerful winds down trees and threaten power outages in California

Thursday 23 February 2023 06:33 , Louise Boyle

Watch: St Paul, Minnesota braces for back-to-back weather emergencies

Thursday 23 February 2023 07:34 , Louise Boyle

How to find out if your flight is cancelled and what your rights are

Thursday 23 February 2023 08:34 , Louise Boyle

More than 1,000 flights have been cancelled by severe Winter Storm Olive which brought heavy snowfall and dangerous whiteout conditions to parts of the country.

The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue weather warnings in more than two dozen states, is forecast to have impacts from coast to coast.

The winter storm has already impacted travel, with tracking site FlightAware reporting that more than 1,100 flights were cancelled on Wednesday morning in the US.

Chelsea Ritschel has more on what to do if your flight is cancelled and what your rights are.

How can you find out whether your flight is cancelled and what are your rights?

The UK’s supermarket rationing caused by severe weather could last for weeks, retail experts warn

Thursday 23 February 2023 09:33 , Louise Boyle

Food shortages in British supermarkets could “last for weeks,” experts have warned as the UK government is told the “clock is ticking”.

Major supermarket chain Tesco joined Asda, Aldi and Morrison’s as the latest to ration fresh produce as shelves across the country lay empty.

National Farming Union (NFU) president Minette Batters said this week at the NFU conference that the production of tomatoes and cucumbers is expected to drop to “the lowest levels since records began in 1985”.

Supermarket rationing could last for weeks, retail experts warn

Extreme weather: Cyclone Freddy batters Madagascar, killing four people

Thursday 23 February 2023 10:34 , Louise Boyle

Cyclone Freddy is continuing to wreak havoc in Madagascar.

The storm pummelled the Indian Ocean nation on Tuesday with heavy rains and destructive winds, killing four people.

Freddy battered the western city of Mananjary and left 16,660 people displaced and damaged nearly 5,000 homes in the country, according to the latest provisional assessment by Madagascar’s risk and disaster management office. But somewhat weaker winds and better preparation staved off further damage.

The cyclone had waned slightly over land, with the state’s meteorological office measuring average winds of 31 miles per hour and reduced gusts of 43 miles per hour.

Southern California battered by high winds

Thursday 23 February 2023 11:33 , Louise Boyle

Flight woes continue on Thursday

Thursday 23 February 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp

Flight woes have continued into Thursday as Winter Storm Olive pummels parts of the US with heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and powerful winds.

By around 7am ET on Thursday morning, more than 1,400 flights in and out of the US had been impacted by the extreme weather, according to Flightaware.

In total, 724 flights within, into, or out of the United States have been delayed.

An additional 750 have been cancelled altogether.

WATCH: Extreme driving conditions in Minnesota

Thursday 23 February 2023 13:30 , Rachel Sharp

Forecasters share their snow scenes

Thursday 23 February 2023 13:50 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities shared a picture of the huge snow drifts outside their office early on Thursday.

“The drifts on our office sidewalk are around 20 to 24 inches. With the average car’s ground clearance being 6 to 9 inches, can you imagine running into one of these going 45+ MPH on the road? Not good.. It doesn’t take much to get stranded! Stay safe out there,” NWS tweeted.

Nearly one million without power

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:30 , Louise Boyle

Nearly one million people were without power across United States on Thursday.

The most heavily-impacted areas were in the Midwest and Northeast. More than 681,000 people in Michigan were in blackout, 84,000 in Illinois and 58,000 in Wisconsin.

Air travel woes continue

Thursday 23 February 2023 14:50 , Louise Boyle

The latest brief from the National Weather Service

Thursday 23 February 2023 15:10 , Louise Boyle

The latest short-range forecast from the National Weather Service was issued on Thursday at 2.27am (EST), stating that:

- Heavy snow is coming across the terrain of California and heavy rainfall across southern parts of the state

- More heavy snow and significant ice in some areas will stretch from the Great Lakes to the Northeast

- Record-breaking warmth expected over the East throughout Thursday

-Extreme cold will grip the Northern Plains and the Intermountain West

Watch: Highway patrol trooper has narrow escape from truck on icy interstate

Thursday 23 February 2023 15:50 , Louise Boyle

800 flights cancelled over historic winter storm - here’s what you need to know

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:10 , Louise Boyle

Some 800 flights have been cancelled in the United States as Winter Storm Olive brings heavy snowfall, significant ice and dangerous whiteout conditions from coast to coast.

The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issueweather warnings in more than two dozen states, began Tuesday and will continue through the end of the week.

The winter storm has already impacted travel, with tracking site FlightAware reporting that 800 flights were cancelled in the US on Thursday morning. An additional 1,305 were delayed as of 10am ET.

Chelsea Ritschel reports.

How can you find out whether your flight is cancelled and what are your rights?

In Pictures: Winter Storm Olive

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:29 , Louise Boyle

First 100-degree day of 2023

Thursday 23 February 2023 16:45 , Louise Boyle

The first 100 degree (Fahrenheit) day of 2023 arrived in the United States on Wednesday.

Falcon Lake, Texas hit 100F (37.8C), reported the climatologist and weather historian Max Herrera on his Twitter account Extreme Temperatures Around the World.

Falcon Lake is a reservoir on the Rio Grande about 40 miles south of Laredo, Texas.

As the US north shivered, daily heat records were being broken across parts of the south and southeast this week.

“Atlanta rose above 80F in winter for the first time in its history,” Herrera added.

A smorgasbord of severe weather

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:10 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service’s Cleveland office summed up the wild variation in extreme conditions across the United States this week in this map below.

Nearly every region was experiencing severe conditions, from heavy snow and blizzards across the Midwest to significant ice in the Northeast and high winds and fire danger in the Southwest.

Watch: How much snow has fallen in Minnesota?

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:29 , Louise Boyle

Air travel update

Thursday 23 February 2023 17:50 , Louise Boyle

More than 1,600 flights have been cancelled in the United States as Winter Storm Olive brings heavy snowfall, significant ice and dangerous whiteout conditions from coast to coast.

The storm, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue weather warnings in more than two dozen states, began Tuesday and will continue through the end of the week.

The winter storm has already impacted travel, with tracking site FlightAware reporting that 1,600 flights were cancelled in the US on Thursday morning. An additional 5,000 flights were delayed on Thursday morning,

More than 400 of those were heading in or out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Chicago’s O’Hare, Boston Logan and Detroit Metro were also badly impacted.

Watch: Chicago area rocked with power outages

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:10 , Louise Boyle

California’s last big storm put a dent in state’s megadrought problem

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

Storms that rolled across California from late December into January have put a dent in the state’s drought, officials said on Wednesday.

US officials cautiously announced a jump in initial allocations of federally-controlled water to agricultural, municipal and industrial users of the Central Valley Project system.

Nine atmospheric river storms at the turn of the year greatly improved the water supply outlook following three years of record drought, US Bureau of Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant said in an online briefing.

Major Central Valley Project reservoirs that were dwindling have since been rising, and the Sierra Nevada snowpack, a key source of water when it melts, is well above average.

“However, we’re all too aware of uncertainties that exist and how rapidly conditions in California can change,” Conant said. “And not all river basins were equally improved, highlighting the need that late winter and early spring rain and snow is still needed.”

Associated Press

In pictures: Winter Storm Olive brings bitter cold to South Dakota

Thursday 23 February 2023 18:49 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Winter weather leaves bare shelves at UK grocery stores

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:10 , Louise Boyle

Hard-hit Minnesota posts snow totals with warning for drivers

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:32 , Louise Boyle

The Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St Paul received around a foot in most locations, the National Weather Service reported on Thursday.

Overall totals as of 6am Thursday were 12.5 inches in Chanhassen; 8.3 inches in St Cloud; and 9.8 inches in Eau Claire.

“The last band of snow will finish up by noon with additional accumulations of 1-3 inches,” NWS reported.

“Thankfully this storm didn’t produce the amounts it had the potential to, but it still produced a lot, and combined with the windy conditions it is simply not safe to travel right now. Many roads remain completely snow-covered and in some cases closed. Stay safe out there!” forecasters added.

Rarer-than-rare blizzard warning issued in California

Thursday 23 February 2023 19:50 , Louise Boyle

A blizzard warning was issued in California this week for the first time since George Bush (Senior) was in the White House.

The National Weather Service (NWS) announced the warning for Southern California mountains through Saturday for the first time since 1989.

There will be several rounds of snow leaving three to five feet of powder across the Sierra Nevadas.

The Mount Baldy ski resort, located in the Angeles National Forest in southern California, is forecast to be the snowiest ski resort on Earth over the next five days with 100-plus inches of snow expected, tweeted Colin McCarthy from the popular weather account US_Stormwatch.

But the moisture-laden air will also mean increased risk of flash flooding into the weekend, according to NWS. Coastal areas have already begun to see large waves which could reach 10-14ft today.

In pictures: Winter Storm Olive

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:10 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Snow-covered eagle captured on nature cam in Minnesota

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:27 , Louise Boyle

Treacherous conditions close roads is a number of states

Thursday 23 February 2023 20:50 , Louise Boyle

Winter Storm Olive created treacherous driving conditions up and down the country this week.

Some drivers were left stranded on iced-over roads and many major highways were closed.

In Wyoming, the state Transportation Department posted on social media that roads across much of the southern part of the state were impassable.

Rescuers tried to reach people stranded in vehicles but high winds and drifting snow created a “near-impossible situation” for them, said Sgt Jeremy Beck of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Unexpectedly heavy snow during afternoon rush hour on Wednesday sent dozens of cars spinning out in Portland, Oregon, and caused hourslong traffic jams. The regional bus service offered free rides to warming shelters for homeless individuals.

In Arizona, several interstates and other highways were closed due to high winds, falling temperatures and blowing snow. The Arizona Department of Transportation advised people not to travel as forecasters said snow could fall at a rate of two to three inches per hour on Thursday.

Many roads also remain snow-covered and in some cases closed in Minneapolis.

AP

Got ice?

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:10 , Louise Boyle

The National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York explained how local people can measure the ice accumulation in their areas.

Watch: Massive coast-to-coast winter storm rips across the US

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:31 , Louise Boyle

Southwest gets a heavy doze of snow and ice

Thursday 23 February 2023 21:50 , Louise Boyle

A winter storm knocked out power to thousands of customers and shut down major roadways in northern Arizona and New Mexico, and is expected to keep an icy grip on much of the Southwest through Friday. Another storm could be close behind.

Ten inches of snow was reported in the mountains of northeast Arizona, with wind-whipped drifts up to two feet high near McNary, south of Holbrook, the National Weather Service said.

Another 15-21 inches is possible by midday on Friday in Flagstaff, where the local National Weather Service office was among those without power much of Wednesday.

It said the heaviest snow was expected Thursday afternoon into the night, with periods of “near-blizzard conditions possible,” snowfall up to a half-inch per hour and visibility under a half-mile at times.

The Associated Press

Impassable roads from coast to coast

Thursday 23 February 2023 22:10 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Wind whips up ‘sand blizzard’ on South Carolina shoreline

Thursday 23 February 2023 22:30 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Winter Storm Olive continues to hammer the Midwest

Thursday 23 February 2023 23:25 , Louise Boyle

Warnings issued for California

Friday 24 February 2023 14:35 , Louise Boyle

A coast-to-coast storm that paralyzed roads and blacked out nearly 1 million homes and businesses was set to pound California on Friday, sparking warnings about floods and blizzards.

The National Weather Service warned of a “cold and dangerous winter storm” through Saturday.

Up to eight feet of snow could fall in some mountains near Los Angeles, which could create whiteout conditions as winds gust to 75 mph and an increased risk of avalanches, forecasters said.

The weather service issued rare blizzard warnings for Southern California mountain areas and urged drivers to avoid dangerous roads.

The Associated Press

California’s winter storm in pictures: Calm before the storm

Friday 24 February 2023 14:55 , Louise Boyle

Watch: Snow blankets the Santa Cruz mountains in northern California

Friday 24 February 2023 15:10 , Louise Boyle

Where are the power outages in California?

Friday 24 February 2023 15:34 , Louise Boyle

More than 124,000 people were currently without power in California, according to utility tracker Poweroutage.us

The worst impacts were currently in the north of the state with Lake County experiencing the heaviest impacts.

California weather in pictures

Friday 24 February 2023 15:52 , Louise Boyle

Treacherous road conditions were taking hold in the Angeles National Forest. Forecasters warned that travel would difficult if not impossible in places due to heavy snow and high winds.

National Weather Service’s latest update for California

Friday 24 February 2023 16:10 , Louise Boyle

A very cold, slow-moving storm is moving south along the West Coast of California on Friday before slowly pivoting into the Southwest.

California will see the greatest winter storm impacts on Friday with multiple rounds of heavy snowfall coupled with strong winds causing blizzard conditions over some of the higher terrain and mountain passes, according to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) latest report.

This includes the central and southern Sierra Nevada, and the high terrain of Transverse Range in southern California.

Downed trees and power lines which will contribute to power outage concerns, NWS said.

For a state that’s used to 72F and sunny, it will be unusually cold. In some areas very close to the Pacific Coast and also into the interior valleys that are not accustomed to seeing snow, there may be some accumulating snowfall, forecasters noted.

There will be as much as three to five feet for the Sierra Nevada, with more snow possible at the highest peaks.

One other big issue will be the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding for coastal areas of southern California below the snow level. Several inches of rain are expected locally, increasing the risk of runoff.

California governor’s office shares list of warming centers as state braces for bitter cold

Friday 24 February 2023 16:50 , Louise Boyle

The California governor’s office shared a list of warming centers, travel alerts, and tips on how to prepare and stay safe during the severe winter weather.

Tornado and water spout warnings in Los Angeles area

Friday 24 February 2023 17:24 , Louise Boyle

Intense showers and thunderstorms are shifting eastward toward southeast Santa Barbara and southern Ventura Counties, the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office warned on Friday morning.

“Expect potential for very heavy rain, road flooding, small hail, & gusty winds. Ocean waterspouts & land-based tornadoes are possible through noon,” forecasters said.

Severe weather begins to ease in Midwest and Plains

Friday 24 February 2023 18:10 , Louise Boyle

A storm that battered the Plains and Midwest for days began to diminish on Friday, the weather service said, but gusty winds could still cause blowing and drifting snow.

The weather has closed major roads around the US, caused pileups, closed schools and snarled air travel.

Friday morning, nearly 300 flights were canceled and over 900 were delayed, according to FlightAware.com. That was down from more 2,000 canceled and 14,000 delayed flights on Thursday.

All told, the storms have blacked out nearly 1 million homes and businesses from coast to coast. Michigan was hardest hit after a storm coated branches, power lines and utility poles with ice, putting more than 820,000 customers in the dark at one point. By Friday, that was down to under 700,000, most in the state’s populous southeast corner, around Detroit.

Some 3,000 power lines were toppled after being coated with ice as thick as three-quarters of an inch, and crews struggled to get power back by the end of Sunday, utilities said.

The Associated Press

Winter storm in pictures

Friday 24 February 2023 18:30 , Louise Boyle

California’s winter storm in pictures

Friday 24 February 2023 19:30 , Louise Boyle

Michigan shivers without power

Friday 24 February 2023 20:31 , Louise Boyle

While this week’s winter storms meant nearly 1 million homes and businesses from coast to coast lost power, Michigan was the hardest hit.

The storm coated branches, power lines and utility poles with ice as thick as three-quarters of an inch, putting more than 820,000 customers in the dark at one point in the state.

By Friday, that was down to under 700,000, most in the state’s populous southeastern corner, around Detroit. Promises of power restoration by Sunday, when low temperatures were expected to climb back above zero (minus 18 Celsius), were of little consolation.

“That’s really vague and that’s really long,” said Apurva Gokhale, of Walled Lake, Michigan. “That’s four days without power in such weather. It’s unthinkable.”

Her home lost power early Thursday. By that evening, the temperature inside had dropped to 55 degrees (12 Celsius). She, her husband and son stayed the night with relatives.

Tom Rankin, 70, said he and his wife were unable to reach his 100-year-old mother-in-law on Friday morning by phone. The couple drove to her home in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, to find her in bed “with a whole lot of blankets,” Rankin said.

She was fine, Rankin said, and the temperature in her home was about 65 degrees after she lost power on Thursday afternoon. But they helped her to their car, planning to ride out the outage at another relative’s home.

The Associated Press

In pictures: Winter Storm Olive

Friday 24 February 2023 20:50 , Louise Boyle

Winter Storm Olive: In pictures

Friday 24 February 2023 22:35 , Louise Boyle

Interstate 5 shut down by snow

Friday 24 February 2023 23:54 , Graeme Massie

In this image from a Caltrans remote traffic video camera is an empty Interstate 5 at Dunsmuir, Calif., Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. Interstate 5, the West Coast’s major north-south highway, was shut down south of the Oregon border as snow fell to the floor of the Sacramento Valley and in a high mountain pass north of Los Angeles, where blizzard warnings were in effect.

Flash flood warning for Santa Barbara

00:05 , Graeme Massie

“Flash Flood Warning including Simi Valley CA, Santa Barbara CA and Lompoc CA until 10:00 PM PST” tweeted the National Weather Service Los Angeles on Friday afternoon.

Heavy rain continues to slam California

00:31 , Graeme Massie

Traffic makes its way along interstate 5 during a rainstorm Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, in Santa Clarita, Calif. California and other parts of the West faced heavy snow and rain Friday from the latest winter storm to pound the US.

More than 100,000 without power in California

00:35 , Graeme Massie

As of 4.30pm PT there were 101,146 customers in California without power, according to poweroutage.us.

Six million people under flash flood warning in LA County

01:02 , Graeme Massie

The warning will stay in place until 10pm on Friday.

“A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for interior portions of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through 10pm TONIGHT. Heavy rain will likely continue through much of the day with additional rainfall of 2 to 5 inches possible,” tweeted NWSLA.

Southern California shivers in blizzard conditions as tornadoes threaten LA and 114,000 without power

01:45 , Graeme Massie

The state had its first blizzard warning since 1989.

California shivers in blizzard as tornadoes threaten LA and 114,000 without power

LAFC game against Galaxy rescheduled

02:02 , Graeme Massie

The match, which was due to be played at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, will now take place on 4 July at the same iconic venue.

LAPD says three traffic deaths so far during storm

02:28 , Graeme Massie

“Roads are very wet, with large amounts of standing water in some places. We’ve already had three traffic fatalities today—three too many. Please slow down & keep extra space between cars, if you have to go out at all,” LAPD tweeted on Friday evening.

Mammoth Mountain gets hit hard by snow

03:03 , Graeme Massie

Mountains near Los Angeles hit by snow

04:04 , Graeme Massie

A vehicle drives through a snow storm in the San Gabriel Mountains in San Bernardino County near Los Angeles County, on February 24, 2023 in Mount Baldy, California.

What is a snow squall?

05:04 , Graeme Massie

As California is threatened by dangerous blizzard conditions, The Independent’s Megan Sheets explains what a snow squall is - and what to do if you become caught in one.

What is a snow squall?

Hollywood sparkles

06:10 , Graeme Massie

The iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles has had a light sprinkling of snow, ABC7 reported on Friday.

The local news station flew their helicopter over the hills above the city and reported that dense fog was hovering around the famous lettering and small chunks of snow along the trail below the sign.

Watch: SUV goes off road and into neighbor’s yard as California struck by heavy snow

07:05 , Graeme Massie

John Malkovich reflects on ‘closest friend’ Julian Sands who went missing on California hiking trip

07:50 , Graeme Massie

John Malkovich has reflected on his close friendship with Julian Sands, the British actor who went missing during adverse weather conditions on a hiking trip in California more than five weeks ago.

Sands – best known for his breakout movie, A Room With a View (1985) – was reported missing in the Mounty Baldy area of the San Gabriel mountains.

Malkovich stars alongside his “closest friend” Sands in Seneca – On the Creation of Earthquakes, which premiered at Berlin Film Festival this week.

Tom Murray reports.

John Malkovich reflects on ‘closest friend’ Julian Sands

Winter Storm Olive: Why do we name extreme weather events?

09:03 , Graeme Massie

Winter Storm Olive has battered the US this week with heavy snow, blizzard conditions and significant ice, prompting the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

The custom of naming large weather events weather goes back to the early 20th century and the dawn of radio which enabled ship-to-shore communications for the first time.

The idea of personifying weather events was to distinguish between them, and make it easier to remember than a numerical sequence.

Meteorologists, coast guards and ships’ captains could then relay information without fear of misunderstanding.

Joe Sommerlad has more below.

How do storms and hurricanes get their names?

The US weather outlook into next week

10:01 , Graeme Massie

Here’s how the three to seven day hazards outlook is shaping up from the National Weather Service (NWS).

More heavy rain is forecast across parts of California, the Central Appalachians, the Northeast, thePacific Northwest, and the Mid-Atlantic on Monday and Tuesday.

Heavy snow is expected in the Central Great Basin, the Northern Rockies, the Central Rockies along with in the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest by the end of the weekend through Tuesday.

High winds are forecast across the Rockies, the Plains and the Southwest on Sunday, moving east through Monday and Tuesday.

Much below normal temperatures across portions of California, the Central Great Basin, the Pacific Northwest, the Northern Great Basin, and the Southwest, are expected well into next week, NWS said.

In Alaska, heavy rain is expected through all of next week in the mainland and panhandle, and heavy snow is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday along with much below normal temperatures.

Watch: California blanketed by thick snow

10:03 , Graeme Massie

Watch: California forecast reveals floods, blizzards from huge US storm

11:04 , Graeme Massie

Firefighter dies after coming in contact with downed power line

12:06 , Graeme Massie

A Michigan firefighter died on Wednesday after coming in contact with a downed power line in Paw Paw, authorities told The Associated Press.

He was named as Ethan Quillen, a father and volunteer firefighter since 2019, by local station News Channel 3.

Read the full report here.

Watch: Snow meets the beach in Crescent City

13:01 , Graeme Massie

Footage shows Jeep half-buried in snow near Los Angeles

14:53 , Graig Graziosi

Images from approximately 30 miles outside Los Angeles, California show a Jeep half-buried in the snow.

Rare blizzard warnings were issued for Southern California as a winter weather system pushed through the area on Friday.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website