More to come - 60+ mph gusts rocked Calif., coast

A strong atmospheric river event made its way onshore on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, bringing heavy rain, mountain snow and damaging winds. Multiple high-wind reports were made.

This first atmospheric river event - outlined in this article here - came ashore on Wednesday and it continues its way east into the Mountain West on Thursday. By Friday morning, another event will move onto the West Coast bringing little rest to the soaked and snow-covered area.

As this initial storm moves east, it will evolve off of the Rockies, becoming the driver for the expected severe weather outbreak.

The next atmospheric river event will roar ashore very early Friday morning before sunrise, bringing hazardous commute conditions once more. More gusty winds will come with it, mostly focused on the Pacific Northwest Coast and in the Sierras.

The already saturated grounds may have a hard time handling more water. If you come to a water-covered roadway, turn around, don't drown.

More snowfall will add to the mountain snowpack as well. After the 4 feet of snow wraps up in the central and southern Sierras, an additional 18 inches of snow is possible. For the Cascades, up to 16 inches will be possible through the weekend. Mind the traffic changes over the passes if you're heading into the mountains.