Another 'powerful' atmospheric river is expected to impact a large portion of the West Coast in the coming hours and days, drenching a drought-ravaged region, forecasters say.
A tree collapsed and damaged a home after winter storms brought high winds and heavy rain in Sacramento, California, Jan. 8, 2023.The latest forecast shows "two major episodes of heavy precipitation" impacting California "in quick succession," along with "two of the more energetic and moisture-laden parade of cyclones that are aiming directly for" the Golden State, the NWS said.
The second episode is expected to quickly arrive Tuesday with less heavy rainfall totals but "impacting locations farther south into southern California," the NWS said. The Sierra Nevada, which stretches along the eastern edge of California, will likely see snowfall totals "exceeding 6 feet across the higher elevations before the snow tapers off Wednesday morning," according to the NWS.
A tree collapsed, ripping up a sidewalk and damaging a home, after winter storms brought high winds and heavy rain in Sacramento, California, Jan. 8, 2023.The forecast shows hourly rainfall totals are likely to steadily increase through Tuesday morning, reaching 1 inch in central California's coastal Santa Lucia mountain range. Elsewhere, peak hourly rainfall totals of 0.5 to 1 inch can be expected.
"Significant" impacts to travel and infrastructure, including possible power outages, road closures, downed trees and snow load, can also be expected, the NWS said. Residents and visitors across the affected region have been advised to check their local forecast, never drive across flooded roadways and have both an emergency kit and evacuation plan in place.
As of 3:30 a.m. PT on Monday, more than 114,000 customers were without power in California, according to data collected by the website
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nearly 60,000 customers without power after storm slammed West CoastNEW YORK — Ten states are on alert for flooding, mudslides, heavy snow, avalanche danger and strong winds Friday morning as series of new storms are expected to pound the West Coast.
Read more »
More than 176,000 customers without power as storm hits West CoastNEW YORK — A major storm is hitting the West Coast Wednesday into Thursday with flood, high wind and heavy snow alerts in effect for California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington state.
Read more »
US Coast Guard returns 273 migrants intercepted off Florida Coast to Cuba | CNNThe US Coast Guard says it repatriated 273 Cuban migrants Sunday after intercepting a number of boats off the Florida coast on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Read more »
WATCH: Incredible whale birth caught on video off California coastA California whale watching tour group got a rare front-row seat to witness the moment a gray whale gave birth.
Read more »
More powerful storms to hit California, West this weekendCalifornia is bracing for a new round of powerful storms this weekend on the heels of a violent system that claimed six lives this past week and knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people.
Read more »
Will California's long-term drought improve after atmospheric rivers hammer the West?While the current series of storms in the West will not be enough to end the long-term drought that is plaguing the region, it will improve it in the short-term.
Read more »