California to be battered by another vigorous storm this weekend
Heavy rain has swelled rivers in Sonoma and Napa Counties in California. The rising rivers have also caused flooding in the region.
After an atmospheric river continues to hammer Northern California with heavy rain and feet of mountain snow through midweek, yet another storm system will target California by the start of the weekend.
Although there is still some uncertainty as to the exact track of the weekend storm, current indications suggest that the heaviest rain and mountain snow will fall farther south than what occurs through midweek.
The first precipitation associated with the weekend storm should move onshore Friday night, with the bulk of the moisture streaming into the state on Saturday.
It is not until later Saturday night or Sunday that dry conditions are expected to return to most of the state.
Areas between San Francisco and Los Angeles are likely to receive the highest rainfall amounts, on the order of 1-3 inches, from the weekend storm.
So while Southern California escaped much of the weather from the Monday to Wednesday storm, the storm from Friday night to Saturday is likely to pack quite punch.
The western-facing slopes of the Sierra Nevada, as well as immediate coastal areas, could receive 3-6 inches of rain.
Flooding from the midweek storm can be exacerbated.
Download the free AccuWeather app to find out how much rain is expected in your area through the weekend.
It has already been an abnormally wet month across the state, with over 4 inches of rain having fallen in Los Angeles and over 6 inches in San Francisco.
With the copious amounts of rainfall expected through the first few days of March, flooding concerns will remain elevated. Not only will flooding of streets and poor drainage areas be likely, but some streams and rivers may overflow their banks.
In addition, mudslides in the foothills are quite possible and could pose a high risk to both lives and property.
Travel delays, both on the roadways and in the major hubs, will be common over the weekend. Those traveling by car or air should allow extra time to reach their destinations and be prepared for slippery or bumpy travel.
Road closures are possible due to flooding and mudslides, so motorists should check their route before heading out.
In central parts of the Sierra Nevada, an additional 2 to 4 feet of snow could fall on top of what has already been a record snowy winter.
While skiers will be delighted by the deep snowpack, the weight and amount of moisture stored within it will continue to heighten the risk for avalanches. This danger will only become worse heading deeper into March as the air becomes warmer and begins to melt the snow.
Although a brief reprieve from the stormy weather is expected early next week, it is likely that more storm systems crash into California by the middle to latter part of next week.
The wet pattern has prevented downtown Los Angeles from reaching 70 degrees Fahrenheit so far in February. If this continues on Thursday, it will be the first time this has happened in more than 100 years of record keeping.
It could be several weeks until an extended period of dry weather graces the state.
