A potent Pacific storm is bringing heavy snow and flooding to much of the U.S. West Coast, prompting water rescues. Road closures were reported across the region through February 16, as the storm triggered landslides, whiteout conditions, and localized flash floods. Another Pacific system will move onshore on Wednesday.
Multiple storms are forecast to bring heavy snowfall to California through February 18, 2026, with snowfall rates exceeding 76 mm (3 inches) per hour in parts of the Sierra Nevada. Extreme impacts are possible across higher elevations, with travel conditions dangerous to impossible, and 1.2–2.4 m (4–8 feet) of snow forecast above pass level.
Evacuation Warnings were issued for residents living near the Palisades and Eaton burn scar areas in Los Angeles County, California, effective from 21:00 LT (05:00 UTC) on Sunday, February 15, through 09:00 LT (17:00 UTC) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, ahead of a winter storm forecast to bring heavy rainfall. Officials warned that debris flows and mudflows could damage property and pose life-threatening risks in recently burned areas. Winter storm warnings were also issued across parts of California and Nevada for heavy mountain snowfall and strong winds.
An atmospheric river affecting California on February 11, 2026, is forecast to evolve into a cross-country storm moving across the southern U.S. through February 13–14, 2026. Widespread rainfall totals of 25 to 75 mm (1–3 inches), with locally higher amounts, are possible across Texas to Georgia. Heavy snow is ongoing in the Sierra Nevada, with additional accumulations expected in the Wasatch and central Rockies.
A short-duration atmospheric river is forecast to impact California from Tuesday, February 10, through Thursday, February 12, 2026, bringing low-elevation rainfall and significant snowfall at higher elevations, particularly across the Sierra Nevada. Forecast guidance indicates the event will be short-lived, with impacts expected to be largely beneficial for regional snowpack rather than flood-producing.
A shallow M4.2 earthquake occurred 4 km (2.5 miles) east-southeast of San Ramon, California, at 15:01 UTC on February 2, 2026, as part of an intense earthquake swarm in the East Bay. U.S. Geological Survey data show sustained seismic activity before and after the main event.
Dense fog covering California’s Central Valley early on January 31, 2026, led to a 59-vehicle crash on Highway 99 in Tulare County, closing the main north–south route for about six hours. Emergency crews treated 10 injured drivers and passengers while removing wreckage from the fog-covered roadway.
Strong Santa Ana winds intensified across Southern California on Friday, January 9, 2026, prompting the National Weather Service to issue high wind warnings and advisories for mountain, valley, and coastal regions. Gusts reaching up to 115 km/h (70 mph) were recorded in canyon and foothill areas, raising risks of power outages, tree damage, and hazardous travel conditions through the weekend.
Freeze warnings remain in effect across much of southern Arizona, southeastern California, and southern Nevada through the morning of Saturday, January 10, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing across several valleys and desert regions, including the Tucson and Phoenix metropolitan areas, the Las Vegas Valley, and the Upper Gila River and San Pedro valleys. The National Weather Service warns that these conditions could kill crops, damage sensitive vegetation, and affect exposed plumbing.
An Extreme Cold Warning was issued for parts of the San Francisco Bay Area, California, including interior Monterey County, San Benito County, and the eastern Santa Clara Hills. The warning will be in effect from 01:00 to 09:00 PST on January 9, 2026. Temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing, posing hazards to unhoused populations, livestock, and sensitive crops.
