The National Weather Service said the “largest storm of the season” was on its way to California.
In fact, the weather service isn't mincing words when it comes to the next big “Pineapple Express” storm that's expected to hit California over the weekend and into next week, using words like “life-threatening” and “dangerous” to describe it. The expected onslaught of rain, snow and wind.
The Los Angeles Weather Service issued this stern warning: There is a “high threat of widespread and very dangerous flash flooding Sunday into Monday, especially from south of Santa Barbara southward.”
The storm should focus its heavy rain from San Diego and Los Angeles to near San Francisco, where several inches to more than a foot of rain could fall over two days, AccuWeather said.
The weather service said the storm could dump a whopping 15 inches of rain on some parts of the Los Angeles metro area.
“Mudslides, landslides and flying rocks”
Ariel Cohen, a meteorologist in charge of the Weather Service's Los Angeles/Oxford office, advised residents to stay off roads, especially those in canyons, and warned of the potential for mudslides, landslides and flying rocks.
“Stay home,” he said. “The main message is that there will be a huge amount of moisture which will bring moderate to heavy rain for prolonged periods.”
Cohen suggested that flood zone residents begin placing sandbags and moving cars parked in low-lying areas to much higher ground. He said people should be alert and take the necessary steps early “in anticipation of what could constitute a life-threatening flood.”
Discussing the weather forecast, the weather service said: “With the ground already saturated by today's (Thursday) rain, the onset of serious flooding will be much faster with this next event, and everyone, especially those nearby or in south-facing mountains, should get started.” “Prepare now for possible evacuations during or even before the storm hits.”
What is Pineapple Express?
Just like Thursday's storm, Sunday's storm is referred to as the Pineapple Express, the more familiar nickname for the atmospheric river, which occurs when the moisture source is near Hawaii. When the Pineapple Express makes landfall in the western United States and Canada, it can bring heavy rain and snow. In California, it can cause several inches of rain per day.
Snow will be measured in feet
Elsewhere, snowfall in the Sierra Nevada will be measured in feet above 4,000 feet, Weather.com said. “Significant impacts to travel are likely so it is best to postpone any driving plans from Sunday.”
The mountains of Southern California will also see heavy snow. At higher elevations there, “total snowfall will likely be measured in feet, not inches above 7,000 or 7,500 feet, and perhaps 2 to 4 feet in some areas,” the weather service said.
The Grammy Awards and golf were affected
The Grammy Awards are scheduled to take place on Sunday night at 5pm PT at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, according to Deadline. “This timing coincides with what the Meteorological Service is predicting of very intense rainfall.”
“The red carpet starts much earlier,” Deadline said. “Expect umbrellas to be the most important accessory of the night.”
And down the coast at Pebble Beach, the final round of this week's PGA Tour could be in jeopardy. PGATour.com said the forecast calls for heavy rain on Sunday and sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts of up to 50 mph. Bad weather has plagued the tournament there several times in the past, including last year, when the final round was postponed to Monday due to unplayable conditions on Sunday, according to PGATour.com.
Contributing: Dave Mason, Ventura County Star
