California is grappling with the effects of a second atmospheric river in just one week, as heavy rainfall and high-elevation snow continue to pummel the state on March 14, 2023. The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned of a high risk for excessive rainfall today, with the storm expected to persist into Wednesday, further exacerbating the potential for widespread flooding.
Just three days after a powerful atmospheric river (AR) event brought heavy rain to parts of California, leaving at least 2 people dead and nearly 10 000 under evacuation orders, another AR will reach the region late Monday, March 13, 2023, bringing more risk of flash flooding and heavy mountain snow through Wednesday.
A dangerous excessive rainfall event, brought by a powerful atmospheric river, is underway across much of Central California today. Areal rainfall totals of 100 – 230 mm (4 – 9 inches) through today, atop areas with saturated soil and deep snowpack are expected to cause widespread and severe flooding impacts, particularly in the High Risk area.
A powerful winter storm has wreaked havoc across California, leaving some residents trapped inside their homes due to heavy snowfall. The storm has prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency in 13 counties, including hard-hit San Bernardino County.
A historic winter storm is currently affecting parts of California, particularly the San Francisco Bay area, where a 132-year-old daily temperature record was broken on Friday, February 24, 2023. In addition, a rare blizzard warning is in effect for the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Bernardino. This is only the second such warning on record for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the first for San Bernardino County’s peaks.
A long-lasting daylight fireball was recorded over southern California at 13:38 UTC (06:38 LT) on February 22, 2023.
More than 100 000 customers of Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) in the Bay Area of San Francisco remained without power on Tuesday night, February 21, 2023, due to the strong winds that whipped the region.
The Sierra Nevada snowpack, a major source of water supply in California, has reached its highest level since 1995, raising hopes for an end to the drought but also concerns about the possibility of flooding due to rapid melting.
Two people were rescued after a large sinkhole swallowed two cars in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Chatsworth as an unrelenting winter storm caused havoc in Southern California.
California is once again under threat as an energetic low pressure system quickly gathers strength off the West Coast, bringing with it heavy precipitation, thunderstorms and several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada region. This, along with already saturated soils and high river levels, is expected to exacerbate ongoing flooding, prolong the risk of flash flooding, and mudslides, especially in recent burn scar regions. The National Weather Service has issued a warning for residents to be prepared, as the heavy rainfall, especially in southern California, is expected to be excessive today and tonight.
