Toxic waste from burned lithium batteries, asbestos, and synthetic materials poses a significant risk in California’s wildfire-affected areas. Cleanup efforts are being delayed as hazardous substances require specialized removal before residents can safely return.
Forecast confidence in a high-impact atmospheric river (AR) event has steadily increased since January 27, 2025, and CW3E is now warning about a major AR event expected to begin this Friday, January 31 along the U.S. West Coast, and potentially continue into early next week. The most recent forecast from the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS) is showing >50% probability of an AR 4 or greater over along the California coast between Santa Cruz and Mendocino Counties.
Two atmospheric rivers (ARs) are forecast to bring significant rain to the U.S. West Coast on January 30 and 31, 2025, with the potential for heavy precipitation as a second AR overtakes the first and stalls into early next week.
Southern California saw its first significant rainfall in weeks on January 26, 2025, bringing much-needed relief from wildfires but also triggering flash floods and debris flows across Los Angeles County.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Freeze Warning and a Frost Advisory for parts of the San Francisco Bay Area as winter storm brings freezing temperatures to the region.
A winter storm blanketed southern California in snow and rain, disrupting mountain travel with forecasts of up to 36 cm (14 inches) of snow, slick roads, and wind gusts of up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in affected areas.
Southern California is bracing for a weekend storm that could cause flash flooding and landslides in areas scarred by January’s wildfires, with rain and snow expected to bring relief but also new risks.
Much-needed rains are forecast for Southern California this weekend as a low-pressure system impacts the state heavily affected by devastating wildfires.
Multiple wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds erupted across northern San Diego County on January 20 and 21, 2025, forcing evacuations, damaging structures, and burning more than 74 ha (182 acres).
Southern California’s wildfire risk is reaching critical levels on Monday, January 20, 2025, with forecasters cautioning that dry vegetation and powerful winds could create the perfect conditions for fast-spreading, unpredictable fires. Potential impacts from this event include downed trees and power outages, very rapid and erratic fire spread, dangerous driving conditions and travel delays, especially for high-profile vehicles, and hazardous sea conditions with potential breaking waves for Avalon Harbor. If you live in affected region and haven’t prepared already, now is the time to act.
