California Braces for Intense Atmospheric River,Potential for Flash Flooding and Mudslides
LOS ANGELES,CA - February 2,2024 – A powerful atmospheric river is impacting Southern California,bringing the threat of heavy rainfall,damaging winds,and potential flash flooding and mudslides thru Sunday. Forecasters are warning residents to take precautions as the storm, categorized as an AR Category 3 – a balance of beneficial and hazardous – intensifies.
The National Weather Service warns that some thunderstorms could develop, potentially becoming supercellular wiht a ”remote, non-zero, risk of damaging winds and/or a weak tornado,” according to meteorologist Kittell. Residents are advised to stay indoors and away from windows during lightning.
Los Angeles fire Chief Jaime moore urged residents to consider altering weekend plans, stating, “Consider changing your weekend plans and stay home, cuddle up, watch a movie… Spend some family time.” Moore also cautioned anyone needing to venture outside to avoid walking or driving through moving water and to stay clear of downed power lines.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has proactively deployed resources across the city. A 22-member strike team with five fire engines is patrolling the Pacific palisades area, which is particularly vulnerable to mudslides and debris flows following January’s fires. urban search-and-rescue and swift-water rescue teams are staged in the San Fernando Valley, and seven brush patrol vehicles are prepared for quick access to narrow streets in high-risk terrain.
Across San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, meteorologists estimate a 25% chance of thunderstorms, which would significantly increase the risk of flash flooding due to localized heavy rainfall, according to forecaster Dave Munyan.
Rainfall totals are expected to vary across the region. From late Friday through Sunday, forecasts include:
* San Bernardino & Riverside: 1.5 to 2 inches
* Irvine,San Diego,Oceanside,San Clemente,Escondido: 2 to 2.5 inches
* Anaheim: 2.5 to 3 inches
* Palm Springs: 0.7 to 1 inch
* Joshua Tree National Park: 1 to 1.5 inches
* Pomona: 2.29 inches
* Long Beach: 2.53 inches
* Oxnard: 2.6 inches
* santa Barbara: 2.82 inches
* Ojai: 3.98 inches
travel disruptions are anticipated, with delays expected at Los angeles International Airport on Saturday. While snowfall is possible at Southern California mountain resorts, Munyan noted, “Not a whole lot of snowfall is expected.”
The current atmospheric river is classified as a Category 3 on a scale developed by the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at UC san Diego’s scripps Institution of Oceanography. The scale ranges from 1 (weakest, primarily beneficial) to 5 (exceptional, primarily hazardous).
Looking ahead, forecasters are monitoring two additional potential storms: one arriving sunday night through Tuesday, and another Wednesday night through Friday. Currently, these storms are expected to bring less than 1 inch of rain along the coast and foothills.
