An atmospheric river has begun to slam California that is expected to bring days of heavy rain, strong wind gusts and potentially feet of mountain snow to the Golden State through early next week, ushering in the region’s rainy season.
The storm system is forecast to bring several months’ worth of rain to Southern California in the span of just a few days.
A dangerous situation will unfold on Saturday as the peak of the ongoing rain event takes center stage.
According to the FOX Weather Center, the peak will continue between the hours of 4am-12pm PT. During the peak, rain rates up to one inch per hour are possible, with a chance of thunderstorms and even a weak tornado.
As a result, a flash flood threat level 3 out of 4 now exists through Sunday morning across California.
Heavy rain remains as the real threat, which, when falling on top of the already saturated ground, could produce flash flooding anywhere.
The recent burn areas will be most vulnerable to flash flooding, landslides and debris flows. This includes the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires from earlier this year. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for more than 20 million people across California.
According to the National Weather Service, ash from wildfires creates burn scars – a water-repellent coating that prevents the ground from absorbing water and causes the area to be predisposed to flash flooding and debris flows.
Evacuation warnings have been issued for areas around the Palisades, Franklin, Easton and Canyon fires, amongst other locations.
By late Saturday night, the bulk of heavy rain will start to come to an end and start to move east across southern Nevada, including Las Vegas.
All told, parts of the California coast, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, could see 3–5 inches of rain through Monday. Typically, Los Angeles averages just over 6 inches of rain from November to January — meaning they could see over 2 months’ worth of rain in just a few days.
San Diego could see 2–3 inches of through Sunday. On average, the area only sees an average of just over 4″ of rain from November to January.
If this storm unfolds as forecast, this would be one of Los Angeles’ wettest Novembers in the past 50 years.
The upper-level low will start to weaken by Sunday, but another storm will brush Northern California, renewing flash flood potential.
By Monday the storm will continue to move south and only provide a chance of rain for portions of Southern California.
So far, this storm has accounted for two deaths.
In Carmel, Ca., a father drowned trying to save his 5-year-old daughter who was dragged out to sea. The child remains missing.
Further north in the Sacramento area, a 71-year-old male delivery driver stopped his car on the Pleasant Grove Creek Bridge.
According to Sutter County officials, the bridge had 2-3 feet of water flowing over the road with heavy rain, and pushed the man’s Mazda off the bridge and into a nearby creek, partially submerging the vehicle.
The man was able to call 911 for assistance, but by the time personnel arrived, the car was pushed further down the creek and was fully submerged.
The man was pulled from the car unresponsive and was declared deceased after attempts to revive him.
Meanwhile, winter weather alerts have been posted for the Sierras. Some of the highest mountain passes have already closed for the season.
Wind gusts along ridgetops in the Sierras could exceed 100 mph.
Read the full article here