• Pair of mid-level troughs forecast to bring widespread precipitation to California

    Two mid-level troughs with associated surface lows are forecast to bring widespread precipitation to California between February 14 and 19, 2025. The first system is forecast to begin affecting the state on February 14–15, followed by a second trough deepening offshore from February 16–17. Snowfall totals over the Sierra Nevada could exceed 60 cm (24 inches), while rainfall totals of 25–50 mm (1–2 inches) are forecast across much of the state during the initial 72-hour period.

  • Santa Ana winds bring damaging gusts up to 70 mph, elevate fire weather concerns across Southern California

    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.

  • Urgent warning for Southern California for powerful winds, extremely critical fire weather

    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.

  • 2024 sees Southern California’s highest M4+ earthquake count since 1988, return to long-term average

    Since 1932, Southern California has averaged 10 – 12 M4 earthquakes annually. However, in the last 20 years, this number dropped to around 5 per year. In 2024, with 13 M4s already recorded, the region is seeing a return to its long-term average. Southern California is experiencing a significant increase in seismic activity this year,…

  • Almost 2 million previously unidentified earthquakes in Southern California

    Caltech seismologists have identified nearly two million previously unidentified tiny earthquakes that occurred between 2008 and 2017 in Southern California, expanding the region's earthquake catalog by a factor of 10. Their efforts, published online by the…