Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: Vallejo, CA  

Winter Storm Warning issued March 13 at 10:04AM PDT until March 15 at 5:00AM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

AREAS AFFECTED: Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains; Southern Ventura County Mountains; Northern Ventura County Mountains; Interstate 5 Corridor; Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor; Eastern San Gabriel Mountains; Western Antelope Valley Foothills; Eastern Antelope Valley Foothills

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...The mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties. * WHEN...Until 5 AM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A second, and much weaker system will move into the mountains Friday into Friday night generating much lighter accumulations.

INSTRUCTION: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

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Current U.S. National Radar--Current

The Current National Weather Radar is shown below with a UTC Time (subtract 5 hours from UTC to get Eastern Time).

Current U.S. National Radar

National Weather Forecast--Current

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Today's National Weather Map

National Weather Forecast for Tomorrow

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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North American Water Vapor Map

Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

Sleet Next Topic: Snow

Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones, and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.

The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is freezing rain.

Next Topic: Snow

Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds

Stratocumulus Clouds Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.

A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a stratocumulus cloud.

It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do it is usually a light rain or snow.

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds