Heavy rain and flooding problems experienced in the Northwest in recent weeks from atmospheric rivers will shift farther south into California through Christmas Day with major travel disruptions and safety concerns.
Two main atmospheric rivers will force copious amounts of Pacific moisture into California this week. Heavy rain with incidents of flooding, washouts and mudslides will expand and shift from north to south over the state, leading to travel disruptions at the very least and posing some risk to lives and property inextreme cases. The Sierra Nevada will receive many feet of snow as freezing levels lower through the week and the region is affected by both atmospheric rivers.
The storms are hitting at a busy time of the year, with many traveling short and long distances, running errands and planning outdoor activities.
The first atmospheric river was already in progress and will continue to focus on Northern to Central California into Wednesday. A second atmospheric river is forecast to develop and concentrate on Central and Southern California from Tuesday night through Christmas Day. But even beyond Christmas, lingering moisture will lead to additional rounds of showers and mountain snow, according to AccuWeather…