An Incoming Storm and Possible Flooding Threatens California
California braces for another round of heavy rain and potential catastrophe
Respectable News Website
California is once again on high alert as two successive storms, including a potentially long-lasting atmospheric river event, threaten to unleash heavy rainfall onto the state. The storms, expected to start on Saturday and persist into the following week, increase the risk of extensive flooding and dangerous landslides, which already pose a significant threat to the region following the earlier deluge in February.
Coming on the heels of a devastating storm
Just a couple of weeks back, a powerful storm struck California, bringing record-breaking rain and causing hundreds of mudslides in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California, leaving the state still in the process of recovery. Though the upcoming storms are not projected to be as destructive as the previous one, the slow-moving nature of the second storm, coupled with the successive rounds of rain, raises the substantial potential for flooding.
With more than 27 million people under flood watches from Northern California to parts of the Los Angeles area, emergency management officials in Santa Barbara County have already issued evacuations warnings in certain parts of the county to get ahead of the impending storm.
Storm details and potential consequences
The initial storm, less intense than the second one, will arrive on Saturday and primarily affect Northern California. Rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected throughout the day, serving as a precursor to the heavier rain expected on Sunday. The subsequent storm is expected to stall near the coast from Sunday afternoon until early next week, significantly increasing the potential for incessant, excessive precipitation. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the county starting Sunday afternoon until Wednesday morning.
The northern part of the state is likely to experience the worst weather conditions on Sunday, with rainfall of 1 to 3 inches projected for the lowlands and 3 to 5 inches expected at higher elevations. The National Weather Service office in San Francisco warns of the possibility of numerous shallow landslides along the steep terrain due to quickly runoff rain on already saturated soils.
Although gusty winds are also expected, they are not expected to reach the intensity of the hurricane-force gusts experienced during the previous storm, which caused widespread power outages. The San Francisco forecast office warns of possible downed trees and potential power outages due to winds gusting at 35 to 50 mph on Sunday night and Monday.
The heaviest rainfall is anticipated to move south on Monday, engulfing the Central Coast and parts of Southern California. Santa Barbara, in particular, is at a Level 3 of 4 risk for flooding rain from Sunday through Monday night. Along the same lines, Los Angeles faces a Level 2 of 4 risk from Tuesday into early Wednesday.
Threats of flooding and landslides loom large
Rainfall rates along the coast are expected to reach 0.5 to 1 inch per hour, with rates over 1 inch per hour possible in some areas. Coastal areas are likely to experience 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, while higher elevations could face 4 to 6 inches from Sunday to Wednesday.
The cumulative impact of the current and previous rainfall, combined with the upcoming storms, poses a serious concern for flooding and landslides. The National Weather Service office in Los Angeles emphasizes the increased risks of these hazards.
Anticipated snowfall in the mountains
While low-lying areas prepare for heavy rainfall, higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade mountains can expect substantial snowfall. The initial storm is predicted to bring around 4 to 10 inches of snow to the region, with Mt. Shasta possibly receiving up to two feet of snowfall, much to the delight of skiing enthusiasts.
The second, more impactful storm has the potential to accumulate up to 1 to 2 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada areas above 5500 feet in elevation, with the highest peaks possibly receiving up to four feet of snow by Wednesday. Individuals are advised to avoid mountain travel, as the Warning will create challenging and, in some cases, impossible road conditions including snow-covered roads, reduced visibility, and road closures, as outlined by the National Weather Service office in Sacramento.
