The principal focus of this morning's briefing is the severe weather conditions currently affecting the western United States, particularly driven by a potent Pacific storm. This meteorological phenomenon is resulting in significant rainfall at lower elevations and heavy snowfall in mountainous regions, thereby posing serious travel hazards across various states. The National Weather Service has identified the western region as the primary area of concern, with additional advisories issued for blizzard conditions and coastal hazards. We shall also note that there are no active tropical cyclones reported in the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific during this off-season period. As we navigate through the particulars of each state and their respective weather warnings, it remains imperative to exercise caution during travel in these affected areas.

Takeaways:

1. A strong Pacific storm is currently impacting the western United States with heavy rain and snow.
2. The National Weather Service emphasizes the western region as the primary area of concern today.
3. Hazardous travel conditions are prevalent in various states, particularly in the Sierra and Idaho regions.
4. Alaska is experiencing severe winter hazards, including blizzard warnings and flood advisories along coastal areas.
5. Southern California beaches are under high surf warnings due to increased rip currents and tidal overflow risks.
6. The National Hurricane Center reports no active tropical cyclones during this off-season period.

Sources

[NWS Anchorage Hazards | https://www.weather.gov/afc]

[AFC Marine/High Surf detail | https://www.weather.gov/afc]

[NWS Reno — Lake Tahoe WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NVZ002&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning]

[NWS Sacramento — Sierra WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sto&wwa=winter+storm+warning]

[NWS Eureka — Navarro River Flood Watch | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=mtr&wwa=all]

[NWS LOX — Beach Hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=lox&wwa=beach+hazards+statement]

[NWS SGX — Beach Hazards | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?product1=Beach+Hazards+Statement&warnzone=CAZ043]

[Cal OES pre-positioning — Jan 3–5 | https://news.caloes.ca.gov/new-years-storm-prepositioned-resources/]

[NWS Honolulu — Area Synopsis | https://www.weather.gov/hfo]

[HFO Surf/Advisories | https://www.weather.gov/hfo/SRF]

[HFO Watches/Warnings | https://www.weather.gov/hfo/watchwarn]

[NWS Pocatello — Warning | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=slc&wwa=winter+storm+warning]

[NWS Boise — Advisory/AFD | https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?issuedby=BOI&product=AFD&site=boi]

[NWS Reno — Tahoe WSW | https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?firewxzone=NVZ002&product1=Winter+Storm+Warning]

[NWS Medford — Advisory & Watch | https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=eka&wwa=all]

[NWS Salt Lake City — Advisories | https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=slc&wwa=winter+weather+advisory]

[NWS SLC — Warnings/Map | https://www.weather.gov/slc/]

[NWS Spokane — Mountain Snow | https://www.weather.gov/otx/]

[WSDOT Pass Reports | https://www.wsdot.com/travel/real-time/mountain-pass-reports]