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ALT A car drives through a snowstorm in Broomfield, Colorado, in 2024. Credit: Bob Hyatt/NOAA
ALT The 2026-2027 U.S. Winter Outlook map for temperature shows the greatest chances for warmer-than-average conditions in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Midwest, Mississippi Valley, much of the East and Alaska. (Image credit: NOAA)
ALT National Weather Service graphic warning of scattered severe thunderstorms across Arizona Wednesday Oct 21, highlighting large 2+ inch hail, isolated tornadoes, and damaging winds with highest risk near Phoenix, Flagstaff and Lake Havasu City; monitor forecasts.
ALT A Slight Risk (yellow, at least 15% chance) covers much of Arizona, including Phoenix, extending into southern Utah and western New Mexico. A separate Slight Risk area affects portions of coastal Southern California. A broader Marginal Risk (green, at least 5% chance) extends across portions of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
ALT The Slight Risk shifts eastward, covering portions of eastern Nevada, southern Utah, much of Arizona, and western New Mexico, including Phoenix. A broader Marginal Risk encompasses surrounding areas of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, with a separate area near coastal Southern California.
ALT A closed low and associated moisture conveyor belt (PWATS 3-4 standard deviations above average) will bring a level 2/4 flash flooding risk. The mountain ranges, especially burn scars, of Southern California to the Four Corners region will see heavy rainfall (1-2 inches).
ALT Latest Key Messages for the October Nor'easter. A non-tropical low pressure system will develop and intensify well off the North Carolina coast early this week before slowly tracking north and exiting the region by late week. The storm will likely bring long-duration coastal impacts to portions of the Mid-Atlantic, especially for the North Carolina Outer Banks. Persistent and strong onshore winds will result in moderate coastal flooding, dangerous marine conditions and beach erosion, especially at high tide cycles, through mid-week from southern New Jersey through the North Carolina coast. The storm is likely to bring wind gusts in excess of 45 mph, most likely across the Outer Banks region and the Virginia Tidewater. Exact details on the magnitude and location of the impacts through the week are still evolving. Check weather.gov regularly for the latest updates.
ALT What are Santa Ana Winds? Strong downslope winds. Created over the Great Basin from high-pressure air masses. They are warm, dry, and can worsen forest fires.
ALT U.S. Drought Monitor map for October 13, 2026 illustrates nationwide drought intensity levels ranging from abnormally dry to exceptional drought. Heavy concentrations of extreme and exceptional drought (D3–D4) are highlighted across the Central Rockies, High Plains, and Pacific Northwest. Additional severe conditions affect parts of the Upper Midwest, Northeast, South Central states, and Puerto Rico.
ALT A NOAA map displays the 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook valid from October 20–24, 2026. Most of the central and western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii show a high probability of leaning or likely above-normal precipitation, with the highest probability centered over the Southwest. Meanwhile, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Ohio River Basin are lean below normal.
ALT A NOAA map displays the 6-10 Day Temperature Outlook valid from October 20–24, 2026. A vast majority of the central and eastern United States, along with southern Alaska and Hawaii, shows a high probability of leaning or likely above-normal temperatures. Conversely, much of the Far West leans likely below-normal temperatures.
ALT Map of the NOAA National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook valid September 17 through December 31, 2026, showing widespread persistent drought across the northwestern United States, along with widespread drought improvement and removal across the southwestern, central, and eastern regions. Areas of new drought development are forecasted primarily across part of the Washington and Oregon border, northern Idaho, and northwestern Montana.
ALT A Moderate Risk (level 3/4) of Excessive Rainfall Outlook is in effect for today across Oklahoma. Multiple rounds of storms may drop 3-5 inches, locally as high as 8. Flooding could be greater in coverage, as well as locally significant. Remember to turn around, don't drown