Live updates: Severe storms flood Los Angeles while blizzard brews for Upper Midwest
Stay informed with live updates as a powerful storm triggers flash flooding and debris flow warnings across Los Angeles and Southern California. Simultaneously, a dangerous blizzard brews for the Upper Midwest, threatening northern Minnesota with up to 2 feet of snow and 60 mph wind gusts.
A blizzard will blast portions of the Upper Midwest with heavy snow and intense winds.
- Los Angeles flooding emergency: A powerful storm drenched Southern California on Monday, triggering Flash Flood Warnings for central Los Angeles, Glendale, and Pasadena.
- Intense rain totals: Coastal and valley areas received up to 3 inches of rain, while mountain communities saw up to 5 inches as of late Monday.
- Continuing California storms: Two additional storm systems are forecast for later this week, keeping Southern California on high alert for further rain and residual flooding risks.
- Upper Midwest blizzard: A Blizzard Warning takes effect tonight for Minnesota's North Shore, including Grand Marais and Silver Bay, with up to 18 inches of snow and 60 mph winds expected.
- Hazardous Midwest travel: Heavy, wet snow and high winds are forecast to create near-zero visibility and potential power outages across northern Minnesota and North Dakota through Thursday.
- 'Extreme' fire danger: A rare "top-tier" fire threat is in effect today for parts of Colorado and Nebraska, as record-breaking heat and hurricane-force wind gusts up to 70 mph combine with humidity as low as 10% to create a high-risk tinderbox across the Central and Southern Plains.
Nearly 15,000 customers are now without power in Texas as the threat of wildfires increases.
Xcel Energy has implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) across the Texas Panhandle, intentionally cutting electricity to approximately 15,000 customers to prevent wildfires.
This emergency measure covers 14 counties, including Potter, Randall, and Moore, as dangerously strong wind gusts reaching 70 mph and record-breaking dry conditions create an extremely critical fire environment.
Officials expect to begin the restoration process later tonight once weather conditions fall below safety thresholds, but they warn that the process will be slow.
Crews must manually inspect every mile of power line for debris or damage before re-energizing them to ensure they do not inadvertently spark a fire.
Consequently, some residents may remain without power for several hours or even days.
Those relying on medical equipment are urged to use backup power or seek assistance immediately, as fire-favorable conditions are expected to persist through Thursday.
With a rare and dangerous fire outbreak looming over the Plains today, Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) has proactively positioned fire suppression groups in Guymon, Woodward, and Shawnee.
These strategic locations allow elite strike teams to respond instantly to any new ignitions in the Panhandle, northwest, and central regions of the state.
The Panhandle and northwestern counties are under particular scrutiny, as exceptional fuel loading from last year's growth has already proven capable of supporting extreme fire behavior during high-wind events.
This staging effort is part of a coordinated response to critical and potentially extreme fire weather conditions.
Residents in these areas are urged to avoid all outdoor activities that could produce a spark as these teams remain on high alert.
The Oklahoma State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has officially activated today to coordinate the response to critical fire weather and high winds threatening the state.
With extreme fire conditions expected across the Central and Southern Plains, the EOC is standing by to support resource requests from cities and counties facing potential outbreaks.
Forecasters are warning of wind gusts reaching 50 to 75 mph and humidity levels plunging into the single digits, creating a high-risk "tinderbox" scenario.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and avoid any outdoor activities that could spark a fire, as any new ignitions could spread rapidly and become difficult to control.
Chain controls are in effect across parts of Interstate 80 in California's Northern Sierra as winter weather worsens.
A Winter Storm Warning remain in effect for the region through 4:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray will have the latest conditions from South Lake Tahoe, California coming up at 8:00 a.m.
Latest top snow totals from California since Sunday.
Snow Squall Warning issued for parts of Colorado on Tuesday morning.
A series of intense snow squalls are currently moving through the mountains of the Western United States, creating hazardous, near-zero visibility and dangerous travel conditions during today's morning commute.
The National Weather Service has issued alerts for mountain corridors warning that these quick bursts of heavy snow and wind can cause flash freezing on road surfaces in just minutes.
These squalls typically last between 1 and 3 hours, but they are intense enough to make travel difficult to impossible.
Officials are urging drivers caught in a squall to slow down, turn on headlights and hazard lights, and exit the highway if possible. For those in the mountains, blowing snow and poor visibility are expected to remain a threat through at least Thursday morning.
California’s Sierra Nevada is currently in the crosshairs of a powerful triple threat storm system that could dump up to 10 feet of snow in higher elevations this week.
Forecasters are warning of extreme impacts as snow rates potentially exceed 3 inches per hour in some areas, driven by a deep atmospheric trough pushing subtropical moisture inland.
For those in the mountains, this means near-zero visibility and travel conditions that range from dangerous to completely impossible, particularly along the western slopes and major passes like Interstate 80.
Latest snow forecast from FOX Weather showing an additional 6 feet of snow expected in the Sierra Nevada.
While the immediate focus is on safety and hazardous travel, this massive storm is a critical lifeline for California’s water future.
As of mid-February, the statewide snowpack was lagging at just 53% to 59% of its historical average following a dry December and January.
This multi-day event is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the state's frozen reservoir, which typically supplies about 30% of California’s water needs during the drier months.
With ridgetop winds forecast to gust over 100 mph, the mountains are transforming into a high-stakes winter wonderland that will dictate water availability well into the spring.
Latest snow forecast from FOX Weather showing an inch or two across the Northeast on Wednesday.
A fast-moving winter storm is set to sweep across the Northeast on Wednesday, bringing a quick burst of snow and potential travel headaches for the mid-week commute.
While parts of the region will initially see rain or a messy icy mix as a warm front lifts north, colder air surging in behind the system will transition precipitation to snow from the Upper Midwest through New England.
The most significant accumulations are expected from Upstate New York to Massachusetts, where some areas could see several inches of fresh powder in a short window.
The FOX Forecast Center says an inch or two of snow is expected from Watertown, New York to Boston, Massachusetts.
Travelers should remain alert for rapidly changing visibility and slick roads, particularly where temperatures drop quickly during the afternoon.
Flash flooding is possible again on Tuesday along the California coast.
After a soggy Monday, another storm system is moving into the West. This disturbance is shifting into California, bringing a fresh round of showers and even some thunderstorms to the coast and southern parts of the state by this evening.
While this storm might not be the most intense seen in recent days, it brings the threat of more flash flooding along the California coast.
Most areas will see steady rain, but some spots could get hit with quick downpours of up to 1 inch in a short window.
Because the ground is already soaked from Monday’s storms, the soil can’t absorb much more water. This makes urban areas and recent burn scars especially vulnerable to fast-moving runoff or mudslides.
In response to the extreme fire weather conditions gripping the Texas Panhandle, Dalhart Independent School District (DISD) has canceled all classes for Tuesday.
The decision comes as the region faces a tinderbox scenario characterized by dangerously strong wind gusts and record-breaking heat, making the threat of fast-moving wildfires a top priority for student and staff safety.
In a proactive effort to prevent wildfires during today's extreme weather conditions, Xcel Energy has announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting at 9 a.m. CT.
This critical measure is a response to a Fire Weather Warning issued by the National Weather Service, which cites high winds, very low humidity, and extremely dry vegetation as significant risks for rapid wildfire spread.
Approximately 15,000 customers across 14 counties in the Texas Panhandle are expected to be affected by this planned outage.
Impacted counties include:
- Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, and Gray
- Hansford, Hartley, Hutchinson, and Moore
- Oldham, Potter, Randall, and Roberts
- Sherman and Swisher
Xcel Energy says additional unplanned outages may occur outside of the designated PSPS areas. Check the Xcel Energy Outage Map to see if your address is within the impact zone.
Strong winds are being reported at Denver International Airport this morning.
Denver International Airport (DEN) travelers are gearing up for big delays and potential cancellations thanks to strong winds in Colorado.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just instituted a ground delay program for the airport, meaning flights destined to DIA are subject to delays of nearly 2 hours.
Passengers are strongly encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
A powerful winter storm will lash the northern tier with heavy snow, intense winds, and ice.
A massive winter storm, stretching over 1,000 miles as it sweeps across the country's northern tier, is threatening to bury communities in the Upper Midwest.
The FOX Forecast Center is tracking a potent setup where a warm front lifting north will bring an initial threat of dangerous ice before transitioning to heavy snow.
FOX Weather meteorologists say the hardest-hit areas, particularly along Minnesota’s North Shore, could see more than 24 inches of snow by Wednesday night.
Fierce wind gusts between 40 and 60 mph are expected to create localized whiteouts and near-zero visibility, making travel difficult to impossible in the Red River Valley.
South of the heavy snow, significant ice accumulation is possible from Minnesota to Michigan as warmer air clashes with the arctic chill.
The sudden wildfire crisis gripping the Central and Southern Plains is the result of a rare, high-impact alignment of meteorological and environmental factors known as a Southern Plains Wildfire Outbreak (SPWO).
While these events represent only 3% of reported wildfires in the region, they historically account for nearly half of the total acreage burned.
The current crisis is being fueled by a snow drought that left lower-elevation grasslands exposed and dry earlier than normal, followed by record-breaking February heat and powerful wind gusts exceeding 60–70 mph.
Warm, dry weather is setting the stage for 'extreme' fire weather conditions in the Plains today.
Beyond the immediate weather, a critical fuel loading issue from the previous year is amplifying the danger.
Above-average precipitation in 2025 led to exceptional grass growth across Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
Now that this vegetation has become freeze-cured and dormant, it has transformed into a vast, highly flammable carpet of fuel.
When paired with a weak La Niña climate pattern—which typically brings warmer and drier conditions to the Plains—even a minor spark can ignite fires that are virtually impossible to contain.
Today's forecast of 60 mph winds and critically low humidity (10%) combined with the dry grasses across the landscape could produce massive wildland fires that spread out of control, threatening millions of people across 8 states.
Millions across the Central and Southern Plains are under high alert today as a dangerous combination of record heat, plummeting humidity, and fierce winds creates a tinderbox scenario across several states.
The National Weather Service has issued Fire Weather Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for vast stretches of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, South Dakota, Colorado, and Wyoming, where any fire that starts is expected to spread with explosive speed.
- Howling winds: Today's extreme threat is being driven by powerful west to southwest winds sustained at 25 to 45 mph, with powerful gusts reaching as high as 55 to 65 mph in some areas.
- Hopeless humidity: Relative humidity levels are expected to drop to critical lows between as low as 10%, drying out dormant grasses and fuels.
- Record-breaking heat: Temperatures are expected to soar 10 to 20 degrees above average, with highs reaching the 70s and 80s in regions like North and Central Texas.
'Extreme' fire weather conditions are expected today across the Plains states.
Officials are urging the public to avoid any outdoor activities that could produce sparks, including outdoor burning, using power equipment, or discarding cigarettes improperly. With fire activity already trending above the 10-year average for this time of year, residents are advised to remain vigilant as these conditions can change rapidly.
FOX Weather meteorologists say an additional 3 to 5 inches of rain is expected through the end of the workweek along the California coast.
California is grappling with a triple threat as a series of storms slam the state with heavy rain, damaging winds, and historic snow.
While coastal valleys should expect an additional 3-5 inches of rain, the FOX Forecast Center says higher mountain elevations are bracing for up to 8 feet of snow through the week.
This intense moisture has triggered Flash Flood Warnings and evacuation alerts in Southern California, particularly near wildfire burn scars, while hurricane-force wind gusts up to 70 mph threaten to down power lines and trees.
The hazardous conditions are significantly impacting travel and daily operations across the region. Major routes like Interstate 80 and Topanga Canyon Boulevard have been closed due to whiteout conditions and debris slides, while airports like Los Angeles International report hundreds of flight delays.
Although these storms will provide a much-needed boost to California’s snowpack—which currently sits at just half of normal—the immediate risks of flooding and near-impossible mountain travel remain high through at least late Wednesday.
Top rain reports from across California since Monday.
California is currently in the grip of a dangerous storm system triggering life-threatening flash floods, massive mountain snow, and damaging winds.
Emergency crews have been pushed to the limit as intense rain, reaching rates of up to 2 inch per hour, transformed streets into rivers across the Los Angeles Basin. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the intersection of West Olympic and Sawtelle Boulevards, where seven vehicles became hopelessly trapped in deep floodwaters and firefighters assisted at least one person to safety from their submerged car.
The California Office of Emergency Services has pre-positioned fire and rescue personnel in high-risk zones, especially near wildfire-scarred areas prone to debris flows.
The storm's triple threat of rain, snow, and wind has brought travel to a standstill in multiple regions. Caltrans closed Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) in both directions from the Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive due to mud and debris slides covering the roadway.
On Monday, authorities held all traffic on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit as the storm created whiteout conditions. State Route 88 was also closed for avalanche control measures.
In Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain was closed Monday, and Knott's Berry Farm shut its gates early due to the deteriorating weather.
With rain totals of 2 to 5 inches expected in the mountains, Los Angeles officials issued evacuation warnings for neighborhoods situated in recent burn scars. Residents in the Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst fire burn areas have been warned to be ready to leave immediately due to the imminent risk of mudslides and debris flows.
A major transition from record-breaking warmth to an intense winter setup is unfolding as a potent storm system moves through the Upper Midwest. While the southern half of Minnesota remains warm enough for rain, a narrow but powerful band of heavy, wet snow is expected to dump 8 to 15 inches across central and northern regions.
Latest snow forecast from FOX Weather showing where two feet of snow could fall through Wednesday.
The highest accumulations are forecast for the North Shore, where totals could climb to 24 inches through Wednesday.
Travel is expected to become difficult to impossible as the heavy snow combines with fierce 40 to 60 mph wind gusts to create localized whiteout conditions. Because of the high moisture content, this "concrete" snow will likely clump on power lines and trees, raising the risk for widespread outages throughout Minnesota and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Crews are already on high alert, and drivers are urged to avoid unnecessary travel as visibility drops to near-zero in the hardest-hit zones.
A powerful winter storm is rapidly developing as it moves closer to the Upper Midwest, following a sharp transition from record-breaking warmth to a classic arctic setup.
The system is being fueled by an intense upper-level trough that has already battered California and is now shifting its energy toward the Great Lakes and Northern Plains.
As the storm advances today, rain and a messy mix of freezing precipitation will quickly change over to heavy, wet snow, driven by falling temperatures that threaten to flash freeze regional road.
Winter weather alerts span from Montana to the Great Lakes with Blizzard Warnings in effect for thousands of people.
The snow forecast remains significant, with a narrow but potent band expected to dump 8 to 18 inches of snow across central Minnesota and into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Extreme conditions are anticipated along the North Shore, where totals could climb toward 18 inches.
Combined with fierce 40 to 60 mph wind gusts, these intense snow rates will produce near-zero visibility and localized whiteout conditions, making travel through the Red River Valley and northern Minnesota difficult to impossible through at least Wednesday.
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