North America Weather & Natural Hazards Today – November 13, 2026

United States | Canada | Mexico | Alaska | Arctic Regions

By Paul Harrison | Orbis Weather

Friday, November 13, 2026

Winter Storms, Heavy Rain, Mountain Snow and Flooding Threats Across North America

North America is experiencing an increasingly active November weather pattern, with Pacific storms bringing heavy rain and mountain snow to the western United States, lake-effect snow threatening parts of the Great Lakes, and powerful cold fronts producing hazardous conditions across Mexico.

The most significant concerns today include heavy snowfall in California’s Sierra Nevada, localized flooding potential in the Pacific Northwest, slippery roads around the Great Lakes, and heavy rainfall across northern, eastern and southern Mexico.

The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center is also monitoring developing showers and thunderstorms across the Four Corners region, southern High Plains and Texas as unsettled weather spreads eastward into the weekend.

United States Weather & Natural Hazards

Western United States – Pacific Storm Brings Heavy Rain and Mountain Snow

A significant Pacific weather system is moving across the western United States, bringing widespread precipitation, strong winds and falling snow levels.

California’s Sierra Nevada is among the areas facing the greatest winter weather impacts.

Winter storm warnings cover portions of the Sierra, including the Lake Tahoe region, where heavy snowfall could make mountain travel dangerous.

Forecasters have highlighted the possibility of snowfall rates reaching 1–2 inches per hour during the most intense periods. Higher elevations could receive substantial accumulations, with the heaviest snow expected along the Sierra crest.

Elsewhere in California, the San Francisco Bay Area faces periods of heavy rain, gusty winds and hazardous surf conditions.

Primary hazards: Heavy mountain snow, reduced visibility, strong winds, dangerous surf and hazardous road conditions.

Travelers using mountain passes should check current road restrictions and avoid unnecessary journeys during winter storm warnings.

Pacific Northwest – Localized Flooding Possible

Washington and Oregon are also being affected by the incoming Pacific storm system.

Moisture moving inland from the Pacific Ocean is expected to produce widespread rainfall, particularly along coastal areas and west-facing mountain slopes.

The Weather Prediction Center identifies a marginal excessive rainfall risk for portions of northwestern Washington, including the Olympic Peninsula, on Saturday, November 14.

Repeated rainfall could cause localized flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.

Additional concerns include strong winds, mountain snow and difficult driving conditions.

Great Lakes – Lake-Effect Snow Threatens Roads

Cold air moving across the relatively warmer Great Lakes is producing conditions favorable for lake-effect snowfall.

Parts of northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and Michigan are experiencing or expecting localized snow bands.

The Chicago region faces particular concerns near Lake Michigan, where narrow snow bands can produce sharply different accumulations over relatively short distances.

In parts of Lake County, Indiana, forecasts have indicated the possibility of 4–8 inches of snow where persistent bands develop.

Snow is also expected across parts of Michigan and the northern Appalachians into Saturday.

Primary hazards: Slippery roads, sudden visibility reductions, localized heavy snowfall and travel disruption.

Northeastern United States – Rain, Wind and Coastal Flooding

A period of cold, wet and windy weather is affecting parts of the northeastern United States.

New York City, Long Island and portions of southern New England face rain, gusty winds and poor visibility.

Coastal flood advisories have been issued for parts of Long Island, while gale warnings affect nearby marine waters.

Higher elevations of Massachusetts and surrounding areas may also experience wet snow.

Temperatures across southern New England are expected to remain relatively cold, with daytime readings in some locations around the upper 30s to lower 40s Fahrenheit (approximately 3–6°C).

Motorists should remain alert for standing water and poor visibility, while coastal residents should monitor local tidal flooding advisories.

Central and Southern United States – Thunderstorms and Freezing Temperatures

Across the central United States, changing atmospheric conditions are creating a combination of cold mornings and developing thunderstorm activity.

The Weather Prediction Center expects showers and thunderstorms to develop across the Four Corners region, southern High Plains and Texas through Saturday.

Meanwhile, portions of Arkansas are experiencing frost and freezing conditions, with temperatures in some northern areas falling into the upper 20s Fahrenheit (approximately −2°C).

These conditions could damage sensitive vegetation and create isolated icy surfaces where moisture is present.

The next several days will bring additional opportunities for rainfall across the southern United States as weather systems continue moving eastward.

Canada Weather & Natural Hazards

British Columbia – Major Rainfall and Flooding Concerns

British Columbia is facing one of North America’s most significant weather threats today, following several days of intense Pacific storms.

Environment and Climate Change Canada reports exceptional rainfall totals since November 10, including:

• Port Mellon: 307 mm (12.1 inches)

• Kennedy Lake: 263 mm (10.4 inches)

• Tantalus Highway Station: 142 mm (5.6 inches)

• Squamish Airport: 135 mm (5.3 inches)

These are reported storm-total accumulations, not single-day rainfall measurements.

Additional rainfall warnings remain in place for Vancouver Island, where another 50–100 mm (2–4 inches) is expected in affected areas by Friday evening, with locally higher totals possible.

Saturated ground increases the potential for landslides, road washouts and localized flooding. Another weather system is expected during the weekend.

Central and Eastern Canada – Seasonal Cold and Winter Weather

Across central and eastern Canada, November’s transition toward winter brings growing concerns about freezing temperatures, slippery roads and changing precipitation types.

Ontario and Quebec can experience rain, snow or mixed precipitation as weather systems cross the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Valley.

Residents should monitor Environment Canada’s regional forecasts, particularly where overnight temperatures approach freezing.

No specific widespread winter storm emergency across Ontario or Quebec has been independently confirmed for this report.

Mexico Weather & Natural Hazards

Cold Front Brings Heavy Rain, Strong Winds and Flooding Risks

Mexico’s National Meteorological Service (SMN) is monitoring cold front number 5, interacting with low-pressure systems and atmospheric disturbances.

The combination is expected to produce heavy rainfall across several regions on Friday, November 13.

According to the Mexican weather service, rainfall totals of 50–75 mm (approximately 2–3 inches) are forecast in parts of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Puebla, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco.

Other areas, including parts of the Yucatán Peninsula, face additional showers and locally heavy rainfall.

The principal concerns are flash flooding, rising streams, landslides and dangerous driving conditions.

Northern Mexico – Cold Temperatures and Strong Winds

The northwestern states face a combination of rain, strong winds and colder mountain temperatures.

Higher elevations of Baja California could experience sleet, while mountainous parts of Chihuahua and Durango may see temperatures fall below freezing.

Wind gusts of 50–70 km/h (31–43 mph) are possible in exposed areas of northern Mexico and along portions of the Gulf of Mexico coast and Gulf of Tehuantepec.

The combination of heavy rain, gusty winds and poor visibility could affect road transport and coastal activities.

Southern Mexico – Heavy Rain and Landslide Potential

Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco face some of the country’s most significant rainfall threats.

Heavy downpours could overwhelm drainage systems, raise river levels and destabilize slopes, especially in mountainous communities.

Residents in flood-prone locations should follow instructions from Mexico’s Civil Protection authorities and avoid crossing flooded roads.

Alaska and Arctic Weather

Northern Alaska – Blizzard Conditions Along the Arctic Coast

Northern Alaska is experiencing hazardous winter conditions, particularly along the Arctic Coast.

The National Weather Service in Fairbanks reports blowing snow, strong winds and periods of severely reduced visibility.

Blizzard warnings have been extended into Sunday morning for affected Arctic coastal areas.

Wind gusts reaching approximately 45 mph (72 km/h) could create dangerous travel conditions, while additional snowfall is forecast into the weekend.

The central and eastern Interior is expected to experience comparatively quieter conditions, although temperatures will remain cold and occasional light snow is possible.

Earthquakes, Wildfires and Other Natural Hazards

Earthquake Activity

Earthquakes remain an important natural hazard across western North America, particularly Alaska, California, the Pacific Northwest and Mexico’s Pacific coast.

These areas lie along active tectonic boundaries where earthquakes can occur without warning.

No specific major earthquake on November 13 has been verified for inclusion in this report. Readers can consult the USGS Latest Earthquakes Map for continuously updated observations.

Wildfire and Smoke Conditions

Although November generally brings cooler temperatures to much of North America, wildfire danger can persist where vegetation remains dry and winds become strong.

Parts of the western United States and Mexico may continue to experience localized fire-weather concerns.

However, this report has not established a verified continent-wide wildfire emergency or current acreage total for November 13.

For current incident information, readers should consult the National Interagency Fire Center and regional fire agencies.

North America – 48-Hour Hazard Outlook

November 13–15, 2026 | Forecast risks, not confirmed impacts

Concern levels are editorial assessments of the forecast hazards, not official government alert classifications. Conditions and warnings may change.

North America Weather Outlook: November 14–16

The coming weekend is expected to remain unsettled across much of North America.

In the western United States, additional Pacific moisture will maintain the threat of rain and mountain snow. Northwestern Washington faces localized flooding concerns on Saturday.

Across the Great Lakes and northeastern United States, colder air will support additional snow showers in favored locations, particularly higher elevations and areas downwind of the lakes.

Mexico’s cold front is expected to become nearly stationary over portions of the Gulf of Mexico region, while additional rainfall continues across eastern and southeastern states.

British Columbia will remain vulnerable to further rainfall as another Pacific weather system approaches.

Official Weather and Natural Hazard Sources

Orbis Weather uses government meteorological agencies and recognized scientific organizations to support its regional reporting.

• United States: National Weather Service and NOAA Weather Prediction Center

• Canada: Environment and Climate Change Canada

• Mexico: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional

• Earthquakes: U.S. Geological Survey

• Wildfires: National Interagency Fire Center

• Tropical systems: National Hurricane Center

Orbis Weather Analysis

North America’s most important weather story today is the combination of significant Pacific moisture, developing winter conditions and repeated heavy rainfall.

The western United States is experiencing an increasingly active storm pattern, with the Sierra Nevada facing heavy snowfall and Washington monitoring flooding potential.

British Columbia remains especially vulnerable following exceptional rainfall accumulations, while Mexico faces widespread precipitation associated with cold fronts and atmospheric disturbances.

Farther north, Alaska’s Arctic coastline is experiencing genuine winter hazards, including blizzard conditions and dangerous visibility reductions.

These events illustrate how different parts of North America can experience very different natural hazards simultaneously: flooding along the Pacific coast, snow across mountainous and northern regions, and heavy thunderstorms farther south.

The key concern heading into the weekend is the potential for additional rainfall or snowfall in areas already affected by recent storms.

Residents should continue checking local official warnings, especially before traveling through mountain passes, flood-prone areas or exposed coastal regions.

Editorial Note and Weather Data Disclaimer

Published November 13, 2026, for Orbis Weather by Paul Harrison.

This report combines official meteorological forecasts, weather agency discussions and publicly available hazard information. Forecast conditions are subject to change as new observations become available.

Rainfall totals identified as observations are distinguished from forecast amounts. Potential hazards are not presented as confirmed disasters, and the absence of a reported incident does not establish that an area is hazard-free.

Orbis Weather provides independent weather reporting for public information and does not issue official emergency warnings. Always follow instructions from local emergency management agencies