A serious flood threat returns to California as two more storms target the state
After sending massive waves to Hawaii, a large, sprawling area of low pressure swirling in the Gulf of Alaska will send a mild atmospheric river toward the West Coast on Saturday.
San Francisco — Two storms are battering California again this weekend, bringing new rounds of heavy rain that renew fears of dangerous flooding and increased mudslide risks.
The first storm swept through much of the state on Saturday. The “Pineapple Express” took advantage of some extended tropical moisture near Hawaii, carrying areas of heavy rain. This storm will be quickly followed by a days-long weather storm from Sunday through the work week, bringing renewed flooding and landslide threats, especially across Southern California.
“Wave after wave, opportunity after opportunity, it's just piling up,” FOX Weather meteorologist Britta Merwin said. “As we work our way through the weekend, more issues will arise. The snow over the mountains will be epic. Be careful when traveling on the weekend, and then also traveling back after a ski weekend with another storm on the way.”
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The National Weather Service issued a flood watch covering most of the California coast from the San Francisco area south to the Los Angeles area, encompassing nearly 27 million people.
Officials in Santa Barbara County on Saturday issued evacuation warnings for parts of the county, which were hit hard by weather river storms last week. Officials said residents under warnings should prepare to leave if evacuation orders are issued.
Saturday's soaker is an appetizer before the main event of the second storm
After sending massive waves to Hawaii, a large, sprawling area of low pressure in the Gulf of Alaska swung a cold front into northern and central California on Saturday.
The storm caused moderate to heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall totals were expected to remain less than an inch around the San Francisco Bay Area with only minor flooding possible. Heavy rains are expected along the coastal ranges north of the Gulf region, where there is expected to be a greater risk of some flash flooding.
A mudslide had already closed both directions of US Highway 101 in Northern California, near the Oregon border.
Trees fell when rockslides blocked the California Highway
A portion of U.S. Route 101 was completely closed at last chance grade in Del Norte County, California due to a rockslide on Friday evening, February 16, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) said.
NOAA's Weather Prediction Center issued a flash flood risk level of 2 out of 4 along the Northern California coast.
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High winds of up to 30-40 mph around the Bay Area, with higher gusts in the mountains, could cause scattered power outages and downed trees and branches.
The storm brought heavy waves to the coast. Large breaking waves between 18 and 22 feet were possible along west-facing beaches Saturday morning through Sunday. Local areas with steep beaches could see waves as high as 28 feet, the National Weather Service said.
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The storm creates large waves across the Pacific Ocean. (Fox Weather)
The strongest storm system arrives late Sunday
The last and most impactful storm will impact California starting Sunday night as a slow-moving Pacific storm sends another atmospheric river toward the state.
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While the amount of moisture coming from the Pacific Ocean will be less concentrated than in past weather events, it is the duration of the precipitation that will be an issue.
The Fox Forecast Center said models indicate that the guiding winds, which normally push low-pressure systems, will weaken significantly, allowing the storm to linger and rotate off the coast for 2-3 days. This should keep the rain at bay until the middle of next week.
The FOX Prediction Center adds that although these slow-moving, spectacular storms are difficult to predict, there is strong evidence that heavy rain will fall in Southern California on Monday. The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles metro area are at a Level 2 out of 4 risk for flash flooding, while parts of Santa Barbara County have been upgraded to a Level 3 risk.
Two to five inches of rain is expected along the Southern California coast and inland valleys, and 8 inches of rain is expected in the mountains. In Northern California, 1-3 inches of rain is expected in the Bay Area and valleys, with 3-6 inches or more in the mountains.
Rainfall totals will not be as extreme as the major flooding events in early February. However, given the highly saturated soil that already exists, there will certainly be more floods, landslides and rockfalls.
“Although the rainfall amounts in this storm may be less than the last storm [from earlier in February]Los Angeles meteorologists said significant storm-related impacts were still expected.
“Small streams and rivers will rise quickly (likely faster due to previous conditions), trees will be more likely to fall even with low wind speeds, mud and rock slides will be almost a guarantee in the hills and mountains, and area roads will become dangerous,” the National Weather Service continued. Very wet, especially during periods of heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to begin storm preparations as soon as possible before rain begins.”
Wind speeds will also reach 40-60 miles per hour, which could lead to power outages, and strong waves will continue to hit the coasts, with risks of coastal erosion and moderate coastal flooding, especially on Sunday and Tuesday morning.
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Furthermore, isolated thunderstorms may lead to periods of heavy rainfall and frequent lightning.
It seems that the stormy weather will calm down by the end of the week.
