SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Weather models are increasingly converging on a potentially high-impact Pacific storm that could affect large portions of California, Oregon, and Washington between December 23 and December 24, just ahead of Christmas Eve. Forecasters say confidence is growing as multiple model runs now align with what long-range guidance has been signaling for several days.
The developing system has the hallmarks of a powerful, dynamic storm, capable of producing widespread impacts from heavy precipitation to strong winds across the West Coast.
Forecast Models Shift Toward a Stronger Storm Scenario
Recent evening model runs show a pronounced trend toward storm intensification, particularly in upper-level dynamics. Forecast imagery highlights a deep trough diving southward from the Pacific, helping to energize the system as it approaches the coast.
Meteorologists note that global guidance, including the ECMWF, has remained consistent in showing a potent setup, and other models are now moving into closer agreement. This growing consensus raises confidence that the storm could bring significant weather impacts rather than a weaker, fast-moving system.
Storm Track Could Impact Much of the West Coast
If current projections hold, the storm would span a wide geographic area, with impacts extending from California northward through Oregon and into Washington State. Such a broad footprint suggests that multiple hazards may occur simultaneously across different regions…