After a brief lull in weather activity, California braces itself for another onslaught of “atmospheric river” storms forecasted to pummel the region with heavy rain, snow, and the looming threat of floods and mudslides over the coming days.
Meteorologist Linda Lam from Weather.com warned of an imminent multi-day barrage of stormy weather commencing on Saturday, poised to unleash potentially devastating effects including flooding rainfall, landslides, heavy mountain snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding.
This latest series of storms follows closely on the heels of a robust atmospheric river event that inundated the Los Angeles area with up to a foot of rain just a week prior.
While the initial storm over the weekend is expected to impact northern and central California the most, the subsequent, more potent storm slated for Monday is anticipated to target southern California, particularly the Los Angeles area.
Elizabeth Danco, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, cautioned that the inclement weather conditions would likely disrupt travel across the state, both by air and ground.
The Sierra Nevada region is poised to receive copious amounts of snowfall, with the National Weather Service in Reno, Nevada predicting that Saturday’s storm will yield several inches of snow, while Sunday’s system could deposit up to three feet of snow in higher elevations. This significant snowfall is likely to prompt restrictions and closures along mountain passes such as Donner Pass, as per AccuWeather’s advisory.
The heavy snowfall anticipated in the Sierra Nevada is welcomed news for ski resorts and water resource managers alike, as it will contribute to replenishing the below-average Sierra snowpack observed thus far this season.
Meanwhile, concerns in southern California primarily revolve around the potential for heavy rain triggering flooding. The Los Angeles weather service office warned of high-impact weather and flooding hazards through Tuesday evening, with anticipated rainfall of 2-5 inches in lower elevations and 4-8 inches in mountainous areas. Additionally, strong south to southeast winds may exacerbate the situation, posing risks of flooding, rockslides, mudslides, and power outages.
Meteorologist Ryan Kittell advised caution around creeks and rivers due to expected strong flows, urging campers and hikers to steer clear of these areas. Furthermore, significant surf conditions are forecasted from Sunday through Tuesday.
Atmospheric rivers, visible through cloud formations, are moisture-laden air streams stretching thousands of miles from tropical regions to the western U.S. These phenomena fuel intense rain and snowstorms, accounting for a substantial portion of the West Coast’s annual precipitation.
Typically originating from warm, moist tropical air masses, atmospheric rivers deposit their moisture over land, resulting in substantial rainfall or snowfall.
On average, up to half of the West Coast’s annual precipitation occurs during atmospheric river events, underscoring their significant role in shaping regional weather patterns.
In summary, as California braces for the impending onslaught of atmospheric river storms, residents and authorities remain vigilant, preparing for potential disruptions and hazards associated with heavy rain, snow, and flooding.