A significant shift in weather patterns is ushering in a series of storms to the West Coast following a mostly dry January. The region can expect to be impacted by rainy and snowy conditions in the first week of February, heightening the risk of flooding.
Multiple waves of precipitation are on the horizon for the West Coast this week. The initial round of rain is expected to taper off by late Tuesday evening, with another wave anticipated from late Wednesday through early Friday.
The first phase of rain, fueled by an atmospheric river known as the Pineapple Express, commenced last week and brought heavy precipitation to southern Oregon and Northern California. Rainfall totals ranging from 2 to 4 inches have been recorded in mountainous areas as of Tuesday afternoon, with some regions receiving close to a foot of rain.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr warned of potential flooding, landslides, and travel disruptions due to the ongoing intense rain. Cities like Redding and Santa Rosa are projected to receive between 4 to 8 inches of rain by the end of the atmospheric river event, equivalent to a month’s worth of rainfall for February.
The heaviest rainfall thus far has been concentrated in northwestern California and parts of the northern Sierra Nevada. Mild Pacific air is keeping most of the precipitation in California as rain, with snowfall expected above 7,000 feet.
A brief respite from the wet conditions is anticipated on Wednesday before the arrival of the next storm system along the Pacific coast. This system, set to move in late Wednesday, will bring colder air and lower snow levels compared to the previous storm.
As the storm progresses, snow is expected to accumulate in northwestern California and the Siskiyou Mountains, with significant snowfall likely in the northern Sierra. Valleys and lower elevations will experience another round of heavy rainfall Wednesday night into Friday, which may heighten flood risks and landslide potential.
Southern California is also expected to be impacted by periods of rain following the passage of the initial storm system in Central California.
Rainfall amounts ranging from 0.25 to 0.50 inches are projected for the Los Angeles area, with the potential for up to an inch of rain in Santa Barbara. This surge of rain and moisture is anticipated to help prevent the ignition of new fires throughout the region. However, the steady rainfall in areas affected by recent fires in Los Angeles may pose a danger, increasing the risk of mudslides. A temporary break in the rainy weather is on the horizon for Southern California on Wednesday night and into Thursday, followed by the forecast of another round of rain towards the end of the week.
According to Zehr, the second storm is expected to bring lighter rain and drizzle to Southern California as Thursday night transitions into Friday. Drier conditions are predicted to establish themselves across the state in time for the weekend. For those seeking enhanced safety features and an ad-free experience, consider subscribing to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. By doing so, you can access advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts generated by our team of expert meteorologists who work around the clock to assess and inform you of potential weather risks, ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones.
