Heavy rain and snow are forecast across California and Sierra Nevada through January 4, 2026. The first wave will target southern California with subtropical moisture, followed by a stronger system forecast to bring heavy rain and snowfall across central and northern regions of the state.
Evacuation warnings were issued for Los Angeles County, California for multiple burn scars across the region as an atmospheric river brings in the threat of flash floods and debris flows through New Year’s Day.
A major atmospheric river swept across Southern California from late December 24, 2025, into Christmas Day, December 25, triggering widespread flash floods, evacuations, debris flows, and power outages. Multiple counties including Los Angeles and Ventura were put under a State of Emergency. Rainfall totals reached 75–150 mm (3–6 inches) in coastal and valley areas, with up to 250 mm (10 inches) in higher terrain of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid travel.
Santa Barbara recorded 169.5 mm (6.67 inches) of rain over a three-day period ending November 17 2025, setting a new rainfall record for the county. The series of atmospheric rivers that brought the record rainfall caused at least 7 fatalities in California due to heavy rain, flooding, and rough seas.
At least 6 fatalities have been reported as of Sunday, November 16, 2025, as a powerful atmospheric river continues to impact California. With heavy rainfall of up to 200 mm (8 inches) being forecast, authorities are preparing for the threat of flash floods, landslides, debris flows across the state.
Tornado warnings were issued across parts of Central California, including San Luis Obispo County, as a rare October storm brought heavy rainfall, gusts exceeding 110 km/h (70 mph), and localized flooding on October 13–14, 2025. Evacuation warnings were declared in Los Angeles County for burn-scar areas at risk of debris flows, while forecasters maintained a marginal tornado risk for southern coastal regions.
At least 14 people were injured near Camp Williams after flash floods struck Azusa and areas along the San Gabriel River in Los Angles County on July 18, 2025.
A rare EF-0 touched down in Pico Rivera, California at around 03:15 PST (10:15 UTC) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, damaging multiple structures and uprooting trees along its path.
A slow-moving landslide on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is accelerating, with new data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) showing significant ground movement following extreme rainfall in 2023 and early 2024.
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.
