Heavy rain to put California burn-scar areas at risk for mudslides through Thursday
A powerful rain storm swept into southern California on Thursday, November 29. The rains prompted thousands of evacuations in Riverside and Orange Counties, where an August wildfire left the mountains barren and prone to heavy water run-off.
Another round of disruptive rain sweeping through California will heighten the risk of flash flooding and mudslides into Thursday evening.
“While this storm is not expected to rival the potent storm from late last week, residents and visitors can still face travel disruptions and localized hazards,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski.
The storm arrived with rain along coastal California late Tuesday and will depart Southern California late Thursday night and Friday morning.
While wet weather has ended in Northern California, rain will continue in Southern California into Thursday evening. That rain will fall at a heavy pace in some areas, including around Los Angeles, San Diego and Bakersfield.
Isolated thunderstorms can even rumble through Burbank, Los Angeles and San Diego.
“Localized flooding and mudslides/debris flows are a concern in the burn-scar areas,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Maggie Samuhel.
A mudslide occurred along Highway 1 near Leo Carrillo State Beach, California. The debris flow forced this stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway to close.
Anyone living downhill of charred land should keep a close eye on the weather situation and be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice should high water threaten.
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“The rain can also lead to flight delays and slower travel on area interstates,” Pydynowski said.
Roads and runways will be especially slick,
Commuters should allot extra time to reach their destinations heading into Los Angeles and San Diego.
Snow was dipping down to some of the passes in Southern California on Thursday. Motorists should be wary of slippery conditions and poor visibility especially over the Grapevine, otherwise known as Tejon Pass.
Showery weather will reach the deserts of the Southwest, including Las Vegas and Phoenix, Thursday into Friday. Localized flooding problems are possible.
The southern portion of the Wasatch Range and southern Rockies will remain cold enough for snow to whiten these areas during the time frame.
Enough snow can fall over Interstate-25's Raton Pass in New Mexico to create slick travel conditions on Friday.
As the storm then threatens major travel disruptions over the southern Plains and later in the Southeastern states from heavy rain, snow and ice to end the week, a new storm will be taking aim at the West Coast.
This one, however, will be much weaker and farther north, bringing a bit of rain to Seattle and Portland, Oregon, Friday night into Saturday.
Another, more potent storm will take aim at the Pacific Northwest late in the weekend and early next week, with rain possibly reaching Northern California with this round.
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