Big Storms in California
A big storm is hitting Northern California today with lots of rain and strong winds. Flood alerts are in place for over 20 million people across California because of these storms, and there’s another one coming next week.
The rainy weather is because of something called El Niño. It happens in the Pacific Ocean and affects the weather all around the world. It makes the jet stream change, sending storms straight to California. These storms can also get extra moisture from the tropics, and that’s called an atmospheric river.
This winter, El Niño didn’t bring many atmospheric rivers to California; most went to the Pacific Northwest. But things are changing this week. The first of two powerful atmospheric river storms is hitting Northern California today and will move down the state through tomorrow, targeting Southern California on Thursday.
This storm is starting warm, fueled by moisture from near Hawaii, earning it the name “pineapple express.” It’ll mainly bring rain, except in the highest areas of Northern California where it might snow a bit. Central California can expect steady rain and strong winds from late today into tomorrow.
By Thursday morning, steady rain and stronger winds will reach Southern California. At the same time, cooler air will spread across the state. More snow will fall in parts of Northern California and the Sierra Nevada on Thursday, even in lower areas. The snow is good for California’s snowpack, which has been struggling due to warm weather and too much rain. The latest survey shows it’s only 52% of the usual amount for this time of year.
There might be a few thunderstorms in the western half of California on Thursday, bringing heavier rain. Last week, San Diego faced flooding from intense thunderstorms.
Flooding could happen across a large part of California on Wednesday and Thursday. There’s a Level 2 out of 4 risk of too much rain in Northern and Central California on Wednesday, and the same risk on Thursday for Southern California as the rain moves south. Roads and low areas are most at risk, and some waterways might rise.
Friday will still have some rain in California, but the heavy weather will move into the Southwest. But the break won’t last long because another strong atmospheric river storm is expected on Sunday.
Details about this second storm are still uncertain, but it could bring a widespread and long-lasting flood threat, especially for Southern California. It might rain and snow for a few more days across the state.
The second storm could get even more moisture from the atmospheric river than the first one. It might stick around for a while, bringing lots of rain from Sunday to around midweek. Temperatures will probably be cooler than with the first storm, and more snow could fall, even at lower elevations.
This wet and cool weather might last well into mid-February, according to predictions from the Climate Prediction Center. So, Californians should be ready for more rain and snow in the coming weeks.
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