A strong Pacific storm system is expected to bring “life threatening flooding” and heavy snow to California over the weekend into early next week, according to the National Weather Service.
A combination of warm air from the Pacific, “strong onshore/upslope flow and cool air can produce thunderstorms and rainfall upwards of 1 inch per hour.
Damaging winds, brief tornadoes and waterspouts are also possible Sunday along coasts and valleys in southwest California, per the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.
Much of the state is expected to receive heavy rainfall, with around 3 to 6 inches possible in coasts and valleys and 6 to 12 inches likely for mountain ranges.
“There is now a High Risk of Excessive Rainfall (level 4/4) for the Transverse Ranges of Southern California both Sunday and Monday as the Pacific system is expected to slow and allow for a longer duration event with near continuous rainfall over the next 48 hours,” the National Weather Service said. “A Moderate Risk (level 3/4) encompasses the High Risk along the central Coastal Ranges southward through the LA Basin Sunday, and from the LA Basin southward along the Peninsular Ranges Monday.”
The heavy rainfall may bring life-threatening flash, river and urban flooding to the area, as well as potential debris flows and mudslides, per the National Weather Service.
The most at risk communities in California to experience such impacts are those who live on or below hillsides, especially those impacted by wildfires, according to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Residents are encouraged to follow local alerts, not walk or drive through debris flows and seek higher ground, Cal OES spokesperson Diana Ibrahim said in an update.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in response to the weather event.
Sandbags are available for residents in multiple locations and shelters will be opened for those who need them, according to Cal OES.
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