California is bracing for heavy rain and mountain snow as an atmospheric river moves into the region this week that will deliver back-to-back storms.
According to the National Weather Service , Northern California and the Central Coast will begin seeing the first storm’s impact early Wednesday. Heavier rain is expected to develop over Southern California on Thursday and continue into Friday.
“This is a big storm,” says KTLA 5 News meteorologist Henry DiCarlo . “The cold front stretches all the way from Canada into Mexico.”
Rain totals of two to three inches are forecast for the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California’s coastal areas and inland valleys, the Weather Service said. The Central Coast, foothills and mountains could see four to five inches of rain.
There is also a likelihood of thunderstorms and localized flooding. Flood watches have been issued for many areas of Southern California, including San Diego, Orange County, Apple and Lucerne valleys, Coachella Valley, and the mountains of San Bernardino and Riverside counties.