A significant change in the weather pattern is bringing multiple storms to the West Coast following a dry January. The wet and snowy conditions are expected to persist through the beginning of February, raising the risk of flooding. Two rounds of precipitation are anticipated this week, with the first round continuing until Tuesday night and another wave arriving late Wednesday through early Friday.
The initial wave of rain, fueled by an atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express, started late last week, bringing heavy precipitation to southern Oregon and Northern California. By Monday morning, mountainous areas had received 2-4 inches of rainfall, with some locations nearing a foot of rain. The downpours have caused street flooding and overflowing streams and creeks, with the threat of more flooding, landslides, and travel disruptions ahead, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr.
Rainfall amounts of several inches are expected from southwestern Oregon to parts of California, with cities like Redding and Santa Rosa likely to receive 4-8 inches by the end of the atmospheric river event, equivalent to a month’s worth of February rain. The heaviest rainfall, up to 24 inches in some areas, is forecast for northwestern California and parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Warm, Pacific air will keep most of the precipitation falling as rain in California until Tuesday, with snow likely above 7,000 feet. A brief respite in the wet weather is expected on Wednesday before another storm brings rounds of rain and mountain snow from western Washington to Northern California starting late Wednesday afternoon. This second wave will bring colder air, lowering snow levels and leading to significant snow accumulation in higher elevations.
Valleys and lower elevations are also set to receive heavy rain on Wednesday night into early Friday, increasing flood and landslide risks further. Southern California is also expected to experience periods of rain following the initial storm’s impact in Central California.
The precipitation is set to move southward, resulting in rain for Southern California. Rainfall amounts of 0.25-0.50 inches are anticipated in and around the Los Angeles area, with a potential for up to an inch of rain in Santa Barbara. This influx of rain and moisture is expected to help prevent new fires in the region. However, steady rainfall in areas previously affected by the recent fires in Los Angeles could pose a risk of mudslides. A break in the rainy weather is predicted for Wednesday night and Thursday, followed by another round of rain towards the week’s end.
According to Zehr, the second storm will likely bring lighter rain and drizzle to Southern California on Thursday night and Friday. Drier conditions are forecast to settle in across California in time for the weekend. For enhanced safety measures and an ad-free experience, consider subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app to gain access to advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts. These AccuWeather Alerts™ are issued by expert meteorologists who continuously monitor and assess hazardous weather conditions to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones around the clock.
