An incoming winter storm will hit parts of California with at least 2 feet of snow, prompting National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists to warn residents of the impacts.
Why It Matters
The storm is caused by an atmospheric river, which is a “long, narrow region in the atmosphere—like rivers in the sky—that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The storms brought by atmospheric rivers are known for their heavy snow, heavy rain and strong winds. They are more commonly found on the West Coast, particularly during the winter months. Although the storms can bring beneficial snow that helps supplement reservoirs throughout the summer dry season, they can also trigger deadly flooding, mudslides and widespread power outages.
What to Know
NWS meteorologists began warning of the storm earlier in the week. A winter storm watch has been issued for high-elevation areas in Central California. On Monday, NWS Sacramento warned of heavy mountain snow hitting areas above 5,000 feet.
“An incoming storm system is expected to bring widespread precipitation and mountain snow above 5000 feet,” NWS Sacramento said in a post on X. “Here’s a look at most likely rain and snow amounts.”…