• Blizzard conditions and destructive winds forecast for the northern Plains and northern Rockies, U.S.

    A fast-moving winter storm is forecast to bring widespread blizzard conditions and destructive winds across parts of Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota through Wednesday night into Thursday, December 17 into 18, 2025. The system, driven a deep low-pressure trough, is generating gusts up to 110 km/h (70 mph) and localized peaks over 130 km/h (80 mph) in leeward mountain areas, potentially leading to whiteout conditions, road closures, and power outages across the region.

  • Above-normal atmospheric river activity forecast for Northern and Central California in late December

    The Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E) at UC San Diego forecasts above-normal precipitation for Northern and Central California between late December 2025 and early January 2026. The latest subseasonal outlook, issued on December 16, indicates high confidence in enhanced atmospheric river (AR) activity and persistent Pacific Ridge conditions during the period from December 22 to January 11, 2026.

  • Strong Alberta Clipper to bring up to 40 cm (16 inches) of snow and flash freeze across northern Ontario, Canada

    A strong Alberta Clipper storm will move through northern Ontario on Thursday and Friday, December 18 and 19, 2025, dropping 20–30 cm (8–12 inches) of snow, gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph), and a sharp temperature drop. The system will create blowing snow and flash-freeze conditions on major highways, including routes between Kenora and Thunder Bay.

  • Powerful winter storm leaves over 1.5 million people without power across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho

    A powerful winter storm hit the Pacific Northwest and parts of the inland Northwest on December 17, 2025, causing widespread power outages across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. At least 596 830 electricity customers were left without power, an impact estimated to affect approximately 1.4–1.6 million people across the region, as strong winds damaged power infrastructure and disrupted services.

  • High Wind Warnings issued for the Rockies, Plains, and Pacific Northwest, U.S.

    High Wind Warnings have been issued across much of the western and central United States, effective from early Wednesday, December 17, 2025, through Thursday morning, December 18. Forecasts indicate a rapidly deepening low-pressure system developing east of the Canadian Rockies, producing winds of over 130 km/h (80 mph) in some areas. Power outages, tree damage, and hazardous travel conditions are expected from the Intermountain West to the Great Plains.

  • Back-to-back atmospheric rivers forecast to impact the U.S. West Coast through December 20

    Two atmospheric rivers are forecast to bring prolonged heavy rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and northern California through December 20, 2025. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) forecasts 100–150 mm (4–6 inches) of precipitation across western Washington and 100–200 mm (4–8 inches) across western Oregon, with locally higher totals in the Cascades and coastal ranges.

  • Freeze warnings in effect across parts of Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas

    Freeze warnings were issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas early on December 15, 2025, lasting through December 16. Temperatures dropped as low as 21°F (−6°C) in central Louisiana and 24°F (−4°C) in northern Florida, with wind chills reaching 14°F (−10°C).