Third atmospheric river to slam California with heavy rain, mudslides
With the catastrophic fires across Southern California finally contained, the next two rounds of rain could put an end to this devastating wildfire season for Los Angeles and Southern California, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Third atmospheric river to slam California
Another storm will come in off the Pacific on Thursday and spread widespread rain and mountain snow throughout California through Friday. This is expected to be a pretty dynamic system supporting a short duration period of moderate to heavy rain.
Fast Facts
- Rain heads south to Southern California on Wednesday as current atmospheric river weakens.
- Next atmospheric river to bring another round of heavy rain and snow to California on Thursday and Friday.
- Lighter rainfall rates will reduce debris flow risk.
Northern California is catching a brief break Wednesday from a multiday atmospheric river event that brought heavy rain, flooding and high winds to areas around and north of San Francisco, but a third soaking atmospheric river event looms for the end of the week.
The same event brought snow to those in the mountains and higher elevations in Northern California.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the rain is forecast to taper off in Northern California on Wednesday and shift to Southern California, where it could help to end the region's wildfire season, as communities recover from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.
Meanwhile, another atmospheric river-driven storm will impact Northern California starting Thursday morning. That event is forecast to be somewhat less impactful than the high winds and mudslides during Tuesday's storm that caused a home to collapse in Sonoma County, California.
SAN FRANCISCO SLAMMED BY DAMAGING WINDS AS ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENT SOAKS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Mudslide caused by atmospheric river sends home in to river in Sonoma County, CA
Rains from a multiday atmospheric river triggered a landslide that pushed a home into the Russian River in Forestville, CA (Video Credit: KTVU).
The home in Forestville California toppled into the Russian River in the North Bay Area.
The Sonoma County Sheriff's office said the home was unoccupied. The department issued an evacuation order for low-lying areas along the river just before 9 p.m. Tuesday night.
Areas north of Sacramento, in particular, have seen the highest rain totals since Friday, with Paradise, California, reporting over 20 inches.
Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville, California's two biggest reservoirs, have risen an incredible 15 feet since just Friday.
2.89 inches of rain was recorded in downtown San Francisco on Tuesday, breaking a 138-year-old record that had stood since 1887.
High winds from atmospheric river brings down trees at Sonoma County, California school
High winds from an atmospheric river brought down trees at a Santa Rosa elementary school in Sonoma County, California on Monday. No injuries were reported (Video Credit: Santa Rosa Fire Department).
The multiday atmospheric river also brought damaging winds, taking down a swath of trees around an elementary school in Santa Rosa, California. The Santa Rosa Fire Department said no one was hurt.
The strongest winds were recorded along the coast, north of San Francisco, including a gust of 90 mph. A 69 mph wind gust was recorded at San Francisco International Airport as a severe thunderstorm moved through, toppling trees and downing power lines in the city. The San Francisco Fire Department said one person was hospitalized after being struck by a falling tree.
Rain for Southern California could put end of fire season within reach
Meanwhile, as the current atmospheric river tapers off Wednesday in the north, beneficial rain will move south into the wildfire-ridden southern part of the state.
FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING DEADLY CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES REACH CRITICAL MILESTONE ON ROAD TO RECOVERY
With the catastrophic fires across Southern California finally contained, the next two rounds of rain could help put an end to this devastating wildfire season for Los Angeles and Southern California, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
The first round of moderate rain began Wednesday morning, with the heaviest rain staying west of the main burn scars. The rain is expected to be light enough to reduce the chance of mudslides and debris flows.
Rain of similar intensity is expected to pick back up from Thursday afternoon through Friday morning.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the rain is a very positive step toward, but not quite enough to completely end, the fire weather season for the region, which is experiencing rain deficits of 5-10 inches since October.
Third round of rain, snow for Northern California on Thursday
Another atmospheric river storm is expected to return for Northern California starting Thursday, right before the start of the morning commute with moderate to heavy rain. A Level 1 out of 5 flash flood threat is posted from Thursday into Friday along the majority of the California coast from San Francisco to just north of Los Angeles. Interior parts of Northern California are under the same flash flood threat.
However, this final shot of the atmospheric river will move quickly and prevent major flood threats or heavy snow accumulations.
Feet of snow for the Western mountains
Winter Storm Warnings associated with this parting shot from the atmospheric river have been issued through Friday morning for a large part of Oregon, as well as Idaho and Montana.
The Sierra Madre range will also see heavy snow in California, with feet of snow expected on the eastern slopes.
Travel conditions in the Sierra Nevada are expected to be very poor from Thursday morning through Friday.