An ongoing winter storm offers some respite to Southern California, which has faced an unusually dry winter, contributing to the current wildfire crisis. While the storm brings much-needed snowfall and rain, burned areas pose risks of mudslides and debris flows.
Southern California is experiencing an unusually dry winter, which has exacerbated the current wildfire situation. However, an ongoing winter storm is expected to bring some relief, including a modest boost to reservoir levels in the region. As of Monday afternoon, multiple winter weather alerts and warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) offices across southern and central California remained in effect, including winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings.
Travel advisories were issued for some areas due to continued snowfall. Most of these advisories, including the winter weather advisory issued by the NWS Hanford office for the Sierra Nevada mountains from Yosemite National Park to the Grapevine, are set to expire by Monday afternoon. The snowfall, estimated to be around 4 to 7 inches, will contribute to the below-average snowpack, which currently stands at only 40 to 60 percent of average. NWS meteorologist Stephen McCoy explained to Newsweek that water levels in most reservoirs typically rise steadily during spring when snowpack melts in the mountains. However, he noted that the current winter storm could provide a 'little bit' of benefit to reservoir levels. The impact will be more significant when snow begins to melt in the spring. Despite the abnormally dry start to winter in Southern California, data from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) as of Monday show that most of the state's major reservoirs are performing above average for this time of year. Newsweek reached out to the DWR for comment. Most of California's reservoirs saw a significant recovery in 2023 and 2024 following years of drought. However, concerns about reservoir levels have been increasing, particularly in areas experiencing below-average precipitation during the state's wet season. While the rain and snow may provide a temporary respite from the dry weather in Southern California after a series of wildfires, the burned land is vulnerable to hazards posed by the storms. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services cautioned on X (formerly Twitter) that 'Rain is welcomed relief after wildfires, however it can cause secondary disasters. Normally, rain soaks into the soil and vegetation, but burn scars make it repel rain just like pavement...causing mudslides and debris flows. Stay vigilant and listen to local authorities.' A winter storm warning issued for Southern California warned that 'Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions.
California Drought Wildfires Winter Storm Reservoirs Snowpack Mudslides Debris Flows
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