Rain, snow and winds coming to California
California is bracing for an onslaught of rain, sturdy winds and snow at larger elevations. An atmospheric river will deliver the storm ashore beginning Saturday night time (February 3, 2024) with highest rainfall quantities falling Sunday and Monday. Some areas might see near a foot of rain.
Officers have issued an evacuation warning for a part of Santa Barbara County.
?? EVACUATION WARNINGS have been issued for components of Santa Barbara County. These EVACUATION WARNINGS are as a result of an incoming storm arriving Saturday, February 3 via Tuesday, February 5.
? Data: https://t.co/iGQy84pGay pic.twitter.com/rDZTAwboVI— SBCountyOEM (@SBCountyOEM) February 2, 2024
California has had a lower-than-average snowpack this season. It’s been too heat to snow, however this coming week the state will make up somewhat of the deficit at larger altitudes with the incoming storm. Mountainous space might see as much as 6 toes of snow by Thursday, February 7.
California and the Pacific Northwest have already seen a number of rain over the previous week, as another atmospheric river hit the West Coast.
Lots of people are within the crosshairs of this atmospheric river. Based on the Public Policy Institute of California, one in eight U.S. residents lives in California. And the inhabitants of simply Southern California is greater than 23 million.
What’s an atmospheric river?
An atmospheric river is an extended, slender band of water vapor within the lowest a part of the environment. It’s like a river within the sky that releases precipitation when it hits the coast and mountains. When it encounters these landforms, the atmospheric river will get pushed upward, inflicting the water vapor to condense (change from a gasoline to a liquid) and fall to the bottom. Based on the USGS:
As much as 50% of California’s annual precipitation can come from atmospheric rivers.
Again-to-back atmospheric rivers make for a excessive flood danger. As The Dialog explained:
The primary heavy downpours saturate the bottom. As consecutive storms arrive, their precipitation falls on soil that may’t soak up extra water. That contributes to extra runoff. Rivers and streams replenish.
A historic 9 consecutive atmospheric rivers hit California final winter, serving to refill the reservoirs within the state. However additionally they introduced flooding and mudslides.
The subsequent atmospheric river takes form within the japanese Pacific Ocean.
Heavy precipitation is anticipated in components of California as quickly as late Saturday night time. pic.twitter.com/TebSJhNQ5B
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) February 2, 2024
Warnings from the NWS
Backside line: An atmospheric river is poised to hit California, bringing rain, wind and heavy snowfall at excessive altitudes. The Nationwide Climate Service warns folks to take preparations.
