MJP –
Residents of the northwest are bracing this week for an incoming atmospheric river poised to slam Northern California, Oregon, and Washington this week, bringing heavy rain and potential hurricane-force winds to the region.
Starting on Tuesday some areas in Northern California will be under flood watches and high wind warnings as some high-elevation areas could see gusts of up to 75 mph, according to the NWS.
“A powerful storm system will bring heavy mountain snowfall, rain, and high winds to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California through midweek. Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity on Wed,” NWS Weather Prediction Center wrote on X.
After its initial peak on Wednesday, the storm could have lingering effects into the weekend, extending further south into the Bay Area, the Central Valley, and even parts of Southern California.
“Even if we don’t see too many flooding impacts Wednesday, I wouldn’t be surprised if flooding gets worse Friday with the second wave, even though less rain is expected during that time,” National Weather Service Meteorologist Dalton Behringer wrote in his daily forecast.
While some areas of Southern California may experience some rain, it will unlikely be enough to eliminate wildfire concerns for the rest of the season.
“It’s not going be what Northern California will be, but any bit helps,” Bryan Lewis, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard told the Los Angeles Times. “It’s probably not enough to get us completely out of the clear yet [for fire concerns].”
The combination of a bomb cyclone and the atmospheric river is what makes this storm so powerful, according to the National Weather Service. Areas of high elevation in the mountains are expected to receive several inches of snow as a result of the storm. The NWS says this is the first major storm of the season that follows a winter that saw record rainfall for much of California.
Atmospheric rivers are elongated, narrow regions of moisture that travel outside of the tropical regions and frequent the west coast bringing heavy rains to the area and were largely responsible for the record rainfall the region experienced last winter. ARs also have the potential to produce large amounts of snowfall when pushed up against the mountains such as the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.
The west coast receives about 30% to 50% of its annual rainfall as a result of atmospheric rivers. The most well-known reoccurring AR is nicknamed the “Pineapple Express” as it brings in tropical moisture from the Hawaiian islands, hence the name.
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A bomb cyclone occurs when atmospheric pressure drops at least 24 millibars within 24 hours, according to the NWS. They occur when cold air from the Arctic collides with the warm, moist air of the tropics. In this week’s storm, the two will converge to create a dangerous weather event with the bomb cyclone bringing the increased winds and the atmospheric river bringing the heavy rainfall.
The NWS says some areas could experience 10-20 inches of rainfall and mountain regions could see a foot of snow with higher elevations receiving as much as 3 feet.
Juniper Calloway is a dedicated journalist with 3 years of experience in covering hard-hitting stories. Known for her commitment to delivering timely and accurate updates, she currently works with MikeandJon Podcast, where she focuses on reporting critical topics such as crime, local news, and national developments across the United States. Her ability to break down complex issues and keep audiences informed has established her as a trusted voice in journalism.
