San Francisco could be among the hardest-hit areas of California this winter as a potentially historic El Niño threatens to bring heavy rain, coastal flooding and powerful storms to the region.
Why it matters: The combination of unusually high tides, rising coastal waters and intense rainfall could leave parts of the city vulnerable to flooding, disrupt public transit and threaten public infrastructure.
The big picture: Federal forecasters say there’s an 83% chance of a record-breaking El Niño developing through the end of the year, KQED reports.
- El Niño is a climate pattern marked by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific. It can shift weather patterns worldwide, sometimes bringing wetter winters to California.
- A recent UC Davis report identified several Bay Area locations that are particularly vulnerable to flooding, including runways at SFO and Oakland’s airport, Highway 37 and the eastern approach to the Bay Bridge.
- Meanwhile, unusually warm ocean temperatures are already contributing to higher coastal water levels, with more extreme tides expected around Thanksgiving and Christmas, per the SF Chronicle.
Catch up quick: Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a local emergency late last week, allowing city departments to speed up purchases of storm-response supplies and prepare flood protections before severe weather arrives…