California Prepares for Intense Atmospheric River This Weekend

Imminent Heavy Rainfall Threatens to Hit California

A stronger and longer-lasting atmospheric river event is expected to hit California this weekend. Almost 40 million people, including residents of San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Diego, are under flood watches due to the risk of flash floods, mudslides, damaging winds, and heavy mountain snow.

The Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service has warned that a lengthy period of heavy rain could develop late Saturday night and continue through Sunday and Monday, potentially generating unprecedented rainfall across a widespread area.

The Weather Prediction Center issued a rare Level 4 of 4 risk of excessive rainfall for Santa Barbara and Oxnard for Sunday. A Level 3 risk exists for much of coastal California, including San Francisco and Los Angeles. The rarity and importance of a Level 4 “high risk” area are underscored by the fact they account for more than 80% of all flood-related damage and 39% of all flood-related deaths.

Rainfall is forecasted to begin late Saturday night for central parts of coastal California, possibly leading to early Sunday morning flooding.

Parts of the Transverse Ranges in Southern California could see at least 8 inches of rain in less than 24 hours, with maximum totals over 10 inches possible in areas where storms repeatedly occur in a short period.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders and warnings about the incoming weather for some communities. The orders are in anticipation of the rain forecast for the weekend, from 5 p.m. local time Saturday until 5 p.m. Sunday, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. Residents are also warned of potential landslides or debris flows due to the anticipated rain.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, during a news conference on Friday, indicated the storm may be as strong as Tropical Storm Hilary from last August. She urged residents to stay at home, keep updated, and be prepared with emergency supplies.

The upcoming storm, much slower than the previous one, is expected to stall as it moves onshore, bringing a longer duration of rain.

Flooding and mudslide concerns are high as the ground is already wet from the first storm. Los Angeles International Airport recorded nearly a month’s worth of rain – 2.49 inches – on Thursday.

High winds are also expected across much of California, with widespread winds of 40 to 60 mph and some gusts as high as 75 to 80 mph, leading to potential downed trees and power outages.

Wind advisories and high wind warnings are in effect across the entire state of California, affecting nearly 30 million people. There is also potential for severe storms, including isolated tornadoes and damaging winds, in coastal central California on Sunday.

The storm also promises significant snowfall. The weather service office in Reno, Nevada, which also forecasts for parts of California, warned of major travel impacts in the Sierra from Sunday through Tuesday due to heavy snowfall. Notably, Mono County, which includes Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite National Park, could see significant snow totals.

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