A Calamitous Weekend Looms for California’s Flood-Prone State

California, already reeling from a severe storm that brought heavy rain and flooding to the state, is bracing itself for an even more formidable weather system that is expected to hit over the weekend. The National Weather Service’s Bay Area division warned on Thursday afternoon that confidence is increasing for another impactful storm system to move through Sunday into Monday.

This is more than just a coincidence, as the back-to-back storms will pack a more significant punch due to their timing. The first fast-moving storm kicked off with heavy rain and gusty winds that hit the San Francisco Bay Area and then moved south, causing flooding and snarling the Thursday morning commute in Los Angeles. Many areas received more than 4 inches of rain, with San Francisco’s seasonal totals already exceeding averages.

As the storm moved south, Los Angeles and San Diego areas were caught in the crosshairs of heavy precipitation. The city of San Diego saw sheets of rain, while communities like Seal Beach and Costa Mesa experienced flash flooding. In one neighborhood, a resident, Ruben Gomez, who had previously dealt with storm damage, took steps to prepare by piling sandbags around his parents’ flooded home. The memory of the previous storm, which filled their home with water up to 6 feet deep, still lingered.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) refers to these powerful weather systems as “rivers in the sky,” because they bring with them long streams of moisture that can rival the flow of the mighty Mississippi River. Strong atmospheric rivers, which account for the majority of the state’s rain, are often accompanied by strong, gusty winds.

These storms have a significant impact on California, which is already prone to flooding. Just last winter, the state was battered by numerous drought-busting atmospheric rivers that unleashed extensive flooding, big waves, and extraordinary snowfall. More than 20 people died in those storms, described as one of the most deadly natural disasters in the modern history of California.

The second storm, forecasters say, will be the largest of the season. The worst part of the storm will hit late Sunday into Monday, with models suggesting it could intensify as it approaches the coast of California, creating a bomb cyclone. This scenario would create the potential for a major windstorm in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of northern California, as well as heavy rain.

While the storms bring with them a sense of uncertainty, they also bring a respite from the state’s parched terrain. Heavy snowfall in areas of higher elevation is a promising sign for the state’s meager snowpack, which currently stands at just 52% of the annual average. The Mammoth Mountain ski resort reported 12-14 inches of snow overnight, with heavy snowfall also reported in mountains east of Los Angeles.

As Californians prepare for the calamitous weekend ahead, they are reminded of the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions to ensure their safety. With the threat of flash flooding, heavy rain, and strong winds looming, residents are urged to remain informed and take action to protect themselves and their properties.