Good morning.

I'm Cedric and This is your EM Morning Brief for Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

A powerful Pacific storm tracks from the Northwest into the Northern Rockies and Plains today bringing damaging winds of 50-70 mph, mountain snow and localized blizzard conditions.

Western Washington remains in flood response after a week of heavy rain.

River warnings and landslide concerns continue as another round of fronts arrives farther south.

Northwest Oregon and southwest Washington face wind advisories and coastal gales today with a renewed flood threat late week as a wetter system lines up.

The Weather Prediction center flags another moisture surge into Oregon and far northern California late Thursday into the weekend.

In the High Plains, NWS offices warn of high winds today and potential blizzard conditions tonight into Thursday across parts of North Dakota and northwest Minnesota.

Space Weather forecasters also note unsettled geomagnetic conditions today that can affect HF comms at high latitudes.

Let's run through the states.

Washington Western Washington remains in response for record flooding and landslides after days of heavy rain.

NWS keeps multiple river flood warnings and flood watches in effect while a new frontal system brings additional rain and mountain snow.

Gusty winds continue today with coastal gales.

Saturated soils heighten the risk of downed trees and outages.

WSDOT reports numerous repairs and some closures persisting including long term damage on US 2 near Skykomish.

Leavenworth, Oregon High winds impact portions of central eastern Oregon today.

NWS Pendleton, Portland highlight gusts to 50 mph and a wind advisory for the Willamette Valley and spew Washington Lowlands.

A potent atmospheric river returns Thursday Saturday with periods of heavy rain and rising rivers.

Coastal and pass travel could be affected.

ODOT trip check shows active landslide utility closures overnight eg or 229 near Sylhets US 26 timberline area with debris downed lines.

California NWS Bay Area notes light rain today, tomorrow broader rain Friday, Saturday, then a wetter, windier system Sunday that could affect holiday travel.

Confidence increases for a multi day storm into next week.

North Coast NU California may see heavier amounts tied to the late week moisture plume highlighted by wpc.

No widespread flooding is expected yet, but wet roads, ponding and flight delays are possible.

Idaho NWS Boise and Pocatello issue high wind warnings.

Wind advisories today.

Gusts 55-60 mph in spots with a winter storm watch for mountain zones late tonight.

Thursday.

Difficult travel is possible for high profile vehicles.

Isolated outages and blowing drifting snow in higher terrain are expected.

Montana High wind warnings remain across parts of central eastern Montana with gusts strong enough to impact lightweight high profile vehicles.

Winter storm warnings continue along the East Glacier southern Rocky Mountain front today with additional mountain snow and blowing snow at passes.

WYOMING High wind warnings are in effect for wind prone areas eg Arlington, Elk Mountain and adjacent ranges through Thursday.

Crosswinds hazardous for light and high profile vehicles along i80 i25.

Blowing snow could briefly reduce visibility where showers develop later.

COLORADO Front Range foothills and southern Eastern Plains see high wind warnings.

Red flag in spots today.

NWS Denver Boulder Notes peak gust windows late morning through evening with travel impacts for high profile vehicles and sporadic outages possible.

Elevated to critical fire weather is possible east with very dry downslope winds.

NORTH DAKOTA NWS Bismarck and Grand Forks highlight a strong storm tonight Thursday with a high wind warning.

West, south central and winter storm watches Northeast Blizzard conditions are possible, mainly in the northern Red River Valley with gusts to 70 mph where snow coincides with wind.

High wind warnings cover western South Dakota today into Thursday afternoon with gusts topping 60-70 mph in favored locations.

NWS Rapid City Flags Limited snow squall blowing snow risk and near critical fire weather today ahead of colder air.

NEBRASKA Western and north central Nebraska sit under a high wind watch for Thursday.

NWS north platte calls for 35-45 mph sustained winds with gusts near 60-70 mph possible, producing hazardous crosswinds and patchy blowing dust.

Snow UTAH Northern Utah faces widespread gusty winds today.

NWS SALT Lake City highlights 45-55 mph gusts common up to 60 mph near Curlew Junction.

Wendover with a wind advisory for the Wasatch front.

Rain snow showers follow tonight into Thursday over higher terrain.

Minnesota north northwest Minnesota NWS Duluth Grand Forks Note winter storm watches and a chance of blizzard conditions late tonight through Thursday, mainly north of Huawei 2.

Farther south, strong winds with lighter snow could still produce brief whiteouts in open areas.

All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.

We'll keep tracking river stages, wind warnings and late week storm timing as new advisories are issued.

Source links are in the show notes below.

Stay safe.