The NOAA/CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook weakens the Midwest and Interior Northwest drought conditions while maintaining drought in the Northeast Corridor, northwest Great Plains, and much of the southern states.

The NOAA/WPC 7-day quantitative precipitation (QPF) forecast projects 10-20 in. of rain (and many feet of mountain snow) centered on Northern California. The persistent storm track through the weekend is part of an "atmospheric river" storm track.

An intense upper-level low-pressure system southwest of South America is compensated by an upper ridge with two centers either side of South America. In-between high-pressure areas, a low-pressure area over Southwest Brazil causes a streak of heavy rain during the past 30 days across a previous drought zone.