World and Nation

Eastern All Stars

Eastern All Stars

Although the Western Conference may have bested the Eastern Conference in Sunday’s NBA All Star Game, the weather bragging rights are clearly in the East. It didn’t seem possible, but much of the ice and snow that fell in the prior month has vanished in recent days. Although temperatures haven’t been far from the climatological average, daily high temperatures have consistently climbed above freezing. This, combined with a few bouts of rain in lieu of additional snow storms, has laid waste to the deep snow pack Mother Nature had built up last month. However, we’re still in the depths of winter and the risk of snow returning spontaneously is still in the cards. Thankfully, this week does not feature a return to the ice cavern of January.

Meanwhile, the West is being hammered by storm after storm. High winds and over two inches of rain fell in the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday. Just to the east, the Sierra Nevada received about 2 feet (60 cm) of snow to the delight of skiers and riders but to the angst of those trying to get through mountain passes or out of airports. Despite the travel headaches this storm is causing, the precipitation is quite welcome as the first half of winter has been extremely dry out west with most of California in the midst of a severe drought.

Extended Forecast

Tonight: Clear. Low 25°F (-4°C).

Tomorrow: Sunny in the morning, then increasing clouds in the afternoon. High 38°F (3°C).

Tomorrow night: Snow showers in the evening turning to rain overnight. Breezy. Low 33°F (1°C).

Thursday: Rain showers in the morning, then cloudy the remainder of the day. High 42°F (6°C).