Waterlogged California faces a rare threat of severe thunderstorms amid flooding
California is once again being hit by heavy rains and winds from an atmospheric river storm, causing flooding across the state and the potential for severe weather in the Central Valley.
San Francisco – The dismal stretch of severe weather in California continues into a new workweek as another multi-day weather storm batters the Golden State with heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, landslides in the Los Angeles area and even the threat of a rare tornado that kills millions of people across the region in the event of Be prepared for severe weather conditions.
The effects of this latest round of dangerous weather began Sunday when heavy rain and strong winds hit communities from Northern California to Southern California, with numerous reports of road flooding and downed trees and power lines.
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Crews work to mitigate flooding on major roads in Ventura County, California
Ventura County firefighters are working with Caltrans on Highway 33 just south of Casita Springs to prevent flooding from reaching the road.
Unfortunately, this is by no means a fast-moving storm. This atmospheric river is expected to persist over the Pacific Ocean and will continue to deliver rounds of precipitation in the form of heavy rain and mountain snow up and down the state through Wednesday.
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California is experiencing heavy rain and flash flooding on Monday
This latest storm started as the weekend began, and the FOX Forecast Center said this atmospheric river will be more impactful than previous ones that have recently affected the state.
By Monday morning, heavy rain fell on areas of the Golden State from the Central Valley to parts of Southern California, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area.
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The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Santa Monica Mountains east to the Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park, as well as the surrounding Malibu and San Fernando Valley areas until 6 p.m. PT, affecting parts of southwest Los Angeles and southeast. Ventura Counties.
According to the National Weather Service, a landslide has already been reported in the Los Angeles area east of Point Mugu in Ventura County.
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NOAA's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) placed a level 3 of 4 flood risk for parts of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties in Southern California on Monday, with the majority of the state under a level 2 of 4 risk.
Flooding was already a problem in Santa Barbara, where officials announced the closure of Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) due to runway flooding.
Flooding in Santa Barbara County on February 19, 2024. (Photo: Santa Barbara Public Works)
“Commercial flights have been cancelled, general aviation operations have been temporarily suspended and the lounge has been closed.” Airport in X saidformerly Twitter.
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Santa Barbara County Public Works Flooding led to several road closures Monday in Montecito and Santa Maria, officials said.
The flood threat on Tuesday will be slightly lower than seen on Monday, with areas of California from Fort Bragg through the San Francisco Bay Area and south along the coast to San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and San Diego on the U.S.-Mexico border. Boundaries are set at level 2 out of 4 of flood risk.
The flood threat extends into Wednesday, with communities from Los Angeles to San Diego placed at Level 1 out of 4 flood risk.
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Landslides and flooding were reported during the storm
WATCH: River rages in Montecito as atmospheric river dumps torrential rain on California
Video shared by the Montecito Fire Department in California shows a raging river as another river storm hits the Golden State with heavy rain and damaging winds.
The effects of this weather storm that hit California began being reported Sunday evening as the first impacts began.
Road flooding was reported in the Sacramento and San Jose areas, according to reports from the National Weather Service.
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The NWS also reported a landslide in the Larkfield-Weekup area north of Santa Rosa on Sunday night that closed Mark West Springs Road.
Strong winds also downed many trees in the Santa Cruz area.
WATCH: Roads in Montecito are flooded after heavy rain falls on California's Atmospheric River
Roads in Montecito are flooded after an atmospheric river dumps heavy rain on California on Monday, February 19, 2024.
Huge boulders about half the size of cars have been reported across Gibraltar Drive in the Montecito area, as well as boulders across Ladera Drive in the Summerland area.
On Monday, several highways and roads in Los Angeles and Venture counties were closed due to flooding, requiring sewer repairs, according to Caltrans.
The Pacific Coast Highway remains closed from Sycamore Canyon Road to Las Posas Road in Ventura County due to erosion on the southbound shoulder.
Trees across roads were reported in the Woodland Hills area of Southern California.
Watch: Huge waves crash on Pacifica Beach, California
FOX weather reporter Robert Ray shared video of large waves crashing ashore in Pacifica, California, during a weather river storm on Monday, February 19, 2024.
FOX Weather reporter Robert Ray was in Pacifica, California on Monday and shared video of huge waves crashing onto the beach.
Wind speeds there reached over 50 miles per hour.
California is experiencing a rare tornado threat on Monday
Flooding isn't the only concern as this latest river storm hits California.
There is now a threat of severe weather, including possible tornadoes, in parts of central and northern California on Monday. Other threats from thunderstorms include harmful wind gusts.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center placed parts of California's Sacramento Valley region under Level 2 out of 5 on its severe thunderstorm risk scale.
Level 2 risks include Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.
The FOX Forecast Center said computer forecast models appear to hint at more clearing and breaking clouds later Monday. This will allow for more instability in the atmosphere, leading to an environment that favors the organization of strong to severe thunderstorms.
The tornado threat extends from north of Chico through Sacramento and Stockton to Modesto. The eastern shores of San Francisco Bay are also at low risk of hurricanes on Monday.
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The wind will blow in California
Damaging winds are also possible as the weather storm hits California early this week.
“(The winds) are going to be gusty and very strong,” FOX meteorologist Craig Herrera said. “This can lead to trees falling.”
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Power outages are also possible due to the possibility of trees falling due to strong winds.
“Be prepared for some of these old trees, old oak trees and eucalyptus trees,” Herrera continued. “These eucalyptus trees don’t have a good root system, so they can fall over very quickly.”
What you should know about high wind warnings
Millions of people in California are now under wind advisories through Tuesday.
A high wind warning is in effect for Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Trinity counties due to expected sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with some winds possible reaching 65 mph.
Wind warnings remain in effect for much of northern and central California, including Sacramento, San Francisco and Monterey.
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The Sierra Nevada will get snow
Snow is expected at the high elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range – and lots of it.
“I mean we're talking about 1 to 3 feet of snow, especially at higher elevations,” FOX meteorologist Kendall Smith said.
Snowfall can make for some treacherous journeys at times, and travel itself can be nearly impossible on the area's untreated roads and highways.
Snow totals will increase as you rise in elevation.
