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Two Storms Target California as Much of the U.S. Warms Into a Spring Surge

Forecasters say a Pacific one‑two punch will bring rain, wind and thunder to the West while a warm high‑pressure ridge drives 70s and 80s across the East and Gulf Coast.

KOCO 5 Meteorologist Jonathan Conder says today is dry, but we will start looking for storms as early as Friday.
Soda Springs, CA, USA - January 4th, 2026: Chain Control Sign on Interstate 80 near Donner Pass. This transportation photograph captures a chain control sign on Interstate 80 near Donner Pass, showcasing the essential traffic management system that regulates vehicle equipment requirements during Sierra Nevada winter storms. The composition highlights the regulatory signage that informs drivers when tire chains or four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicles are mandatory for safe passage through this challenging mountain corridor at over 7,000 feet elevation. Shot to emphasize the critical role these signs play in winter highway safety, the image documents the California Highway Patrol's chain control system that protects both travelers and maintains traffic flow on this vital trans-Sierra route connecting California with Nevada. The photograph captures the intersection of public safety and mountain infrastructure, where chain control requirements represent the ongoing challenge of keeping Interstate 80 passable during severe weather while preventing accidents that could close this critical freight and commuter corridor that carries thousands of vehicles daily through one of the Sierra Nevada's most historically treacherous and weather-prone mountain passes.
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Overview

  • National Weather Service offices and local forecasters outline a two‑wave California event, with a warmer, moisture‑rich system followed by a colder, stronger storm that lowers snow levels and raises risks from thunderstorms, debris flows and gusty winds.
  • Bay Area and Central Coast outlooks call for scattered showers and a 15–25% chance of Friday thunderstorms turning to widespread, heavier rain Saturday, with hazards that include lightning, small hail and localized flooding in poor‑drainage spots.
  • Across the Midwest, an active stretch sets up with repeated storm chances and locally heavy totals, and southeastern Wisconsin outlets warn that 2.5 to 3 inches of rain could trigger flooding in already saturated areas.
  • Large parts of the East and Ohio Valley turn much warmer into the weekend and early next week, with local forecasts pointing to 70s and even low to mid‑80s in places like Cincinnati, south‑central Pennsylvania and northern New England.
  • The Gulf Coast stays mostly dry under a strengthening ridge, and southeast Louisiana forecasters flag breezy days, low rain chances and ongoing drought, even as coastal flood advisories highlight minor roadway water near east‑facing shores.