A powerful winter storm is currently impacting the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, resulting in blizzard conditions that pose significant hazards to travel and safety. As we delve into this episode, we will explore the ongoing weather events, including whiteouts and scattered power outages affecting regions from Northern Michigan to parts of Minnesota. Additionally, we will discuss the gale force winds and rough seas prevalent along the Texas and Louisiana coasts, which are exacerbated by a strong post-frontal surge. Our analysis will also cover the recent earthquake detected near Susanville, California, and the resultant advisories in effect for wind and marine conditions along the Pacific Coast. We remain vigilant in monitoring these weather developments and their implications for the affected areas.
Takeaways:
A significant winter storm currently impacts the upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
Travel conditions remain perilous due to ongoing winter storm warnings and advisories.
Gale force winds are creating hazardous marine conditions along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.
Northern Michigan is experiencing heavy snowfall and dangerously low visibility due to the storm.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of Minnesota, with dangerously low wind chill factors.
Earthquake activity was noted in Northern California, though no major damage has been reported.
Whiteouts and scattered power outages from Northern Michigan into parts of Minnesota.
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Travel remains hazardous where warnings continue today along the Gulf.
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A strong post frontal surge is driving gale force winds and very rough seas from the Texas and Louisiana coasts into the Bay of Campeche in California.
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NWS highlights strong winds in parts of Southern California today while USGS reports an earthquake north of Susanville within the last 24 hours.
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No major damage reports at this time.
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Let's run through the states.
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California USGS detects an earthquake north northwest of Susanville Lassen county within the last day.
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Local media and did you'd feel it?
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Reports indicate it was felt across parts of Northern California with no injuries or major damage confirmed.
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Separately, the Los Angeles, Oxnard and San Diego NWS offices keep wind advisories and pockets of high wind warnings in effect through this afternoon for favored mountain and desert corridors and small craft hazards continue offshore.
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Gale warnings continue for coastal waters from Cameron to Vermillion and out to 60 nautical miles as the post frontal surge works down the coast.
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A low water advisory is also in effect for Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes this morning.
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Michigan Northern Michigan remains under a significant winter storm today.
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NWS Marquette highlights heavy lake enhanced snow with near zero visibility and wind gusts 40-65 mph along with lake Superior leading to dangerous travel and scattered power outages.
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Additional winter storm headlines extend across the eastern Upper Peninsula and portions of the northern Lower Peninsula.
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Minnesota Blizzard and winter storm warnings have covered parts of south central and southern Minnesota into this morning with strong northwest winds producing blowing and drifting snow and periods of near whiteout conditions as winds slowly diminish.
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Some areas transition to winter weather advisories through the afternoon.
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New York Western and north central New York face winter weather advisories this afternoon into Tuesday.
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NWS Buffalo calls for 4 to 8 inches with blowing snow in Monroe county and wind gusts potentially up to 60 miles per hour in the heaviest bands.
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North Dakota Blizzard warnings and cold weather advisories have affected parts of eastern North Dakota and the Red River Valley through early morning with dangerous wind chills and lingering areas of blowing snow.
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Conditions gradually improve today but cold advisories remain in some zones.
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Marine conditions turn hazardous today.
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NWS HOUSTON Galveston has gale warnings for nearshore and offshore waters with northerly gusts 40 to 45 knots.
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Seas 8 to 13ft and a low water advisory for Galveston Bay through at least Tuesday.
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Similar gale headlines continue near the Texas Louisiana line.
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Inland, a rangeland fire danger statement is in effect for much of south central Texas due to very dry air and gusty winds.
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All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.
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We'll keep watch on the Great Lakes storm and Gulf marine hazards through tonight.
