California faces a barrage of storms this week with threats ranging from flash flooding and isolated tornadoes to Sierra pass closures and Southern California mountain snow.
As a deep plume of moisture makes its way inland across the West Coast, a multitude of hazards could arise this week, ranging from localized flooding and severe thunderstorms to feet of snow in the mountains and gusty winds.
Potent storms return to the Golden State
After weeks dominated by weather that was dry and warmer than the historical average, the transition to a stormier pattern will mark a clear change of pace for the region. Water levels statewide are running at about half of their typical mid-February levels. While the incoming storms may create hazards, they will also offer much-needed moisture.
“It will be a wet week across California as a series of storm systems slam into the state. Multiple inches of rain will fall across much of the state, with several feet of snow expected in the Sierra,” explained AccuWeather Meteorologist Kai Kerkow.
Soaking rain from the coast to valley locations
This week, forecasters say that three separate storms are set to track into the western states. The rain field associated with the first storm began to move onshore on Sunday while the core of the storm’s energy will shift inland on Monday.
The second storm will dive south and east from the Pacific Northwest into California Monday night into Tuesday night, ushering in another wave of soaking rain. By late week, a third and final storm of the week is expected on Thursday, which is anticipated to focus along the Central Coast and portions of Southern California.
Cumulative rainfall amounts will be 1–2 inches across Southern California and the Central Valley, increasing to 2–4 inches along the central coast and into Northern California. Orographic enhancement could push localized amounts beyond 4 inches in the Sierra Nevada and adjacent higher terrain.
Monday: severe thunderstorm risk
In addition to the deluge of moisture this week, forecasters are also warning of the risk for robust thunderstorms in northern portions of the Central Valley as well as coastal Southern California…