Shutterstock
A rare winter heatwave near all-time highs in Southern California and a brushfire has prompted evacuations, while a new storm system could bring snowfall to the central US and East over the weekend, plus a 3-day forecast.
A rare winter heatwave near all-time highs in Southern California has prompted a week-long heat alert by the NWS, as well as high wind warnings, as Santa Anas are driving a brushfire which has prompted evacuations.
Residents living in Orange County, California, in the Irvine Cove and Emerald Bay areas of Laguna Beach were evacuated early Thursday morning. A brush fire threatened homes and other structures, officials said, CNN reported. However, as the fire spread, the remainder of Laguna Beach was under an evacuation warning; officials said, “homes are threatened with the possibility of more structures threatened if the fire spreads,” according to the city of Laguna Beach website. The fire also shut down the Pacific Coast Highway in both directions, and all schools were closed in North Laguna.
Another storm moving down from Canada will bring a fresh injection of cold air across a large swath of the US, including the Midwest, mid-South, Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast over the weekend, the Daily Voice reported. The National Weather Service warned of wind gusts as high as 25 MPH.
Here are the latest weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) for Thursday:
High wind watch and warnings for: Northern, central and northeastern Montana; southeastern Wyoming; western Nebraska; southwestern and southeastern California; southern Nevada; northwestern Arizona.
Winter weather advisory for portions of southern and southeastern Montana; north-central Wyoming; eastern North Dakota; northern and central Minnesota; northern Wisconsin, northern Michigan; northern New York.
Special heat advisory: For Southern California areas of Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and the inland Empire: Unseasonably hot conditions with highs between 86-93F. Visitors from cold-weather states not acclimated to the heat may be at higher risk of heat-related illness. Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, drink plenty of water and look before you lock. This advisory will remain in effect through 6 PM on Sunday, February 13.
The latest 3-day forecast and the National Weather Service (NWS) are here.
Mixed precipitation across the northern tier from Montana to Maine and as far south as central Illinois and Indiana. Snow for portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Michigan, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
More snow moves in over the West for portions of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and the Dakotas, while to the east for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine.
Rain for parts of the eastern Midwest and mid-South.
Mixed precipitation moves to the east for parts of the mid-South, Southeast, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
Snow for parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Rain for parts of the South and Southeast.
