Latest atmospheric river deluge could slam battered California
SAN FRANCISCO — Californians braced for the latest in a relentless wave of strong storms, and forecasters warned of another atmospheric flux expected to bring an additional round of flooding precipitation, high-altitude snow and high winds to parts of the state this week .
More than half of California was under either flood watch or a winter storm warning Sunday as one atmospheric flow receded and another approached.
These long, narrow bands in the atmosphere carry copious amounts of water vapor, which is released as rain or snow on landing. The upcoming atmospheric flow, which isn’t expected to be quite as strong as last weekend’s, will be the 11th to slam the state since late December.
Prior to this storm parade, California was hit by a three-year drought.
“California weather is almost like your outdoor faucet,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno. “When it’s on, the water will flow out and flood. But when it’s off, there will hardly be a drop.”
WHAT IS ATMOSPHERIC FLOW?These rivers of water vapor can stretch for thousands of kilometers
Rainfall will intensify Monday through Tuesday.
Wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour will spread across northern California on Sunday and Monday, according to AccuWeather. At higher altitudes, meteorologists warn that visibility could be close to zero.
The National Weather Service said rainfall will increase across much of the state Monday through Tuesday, causing more flooding in already saturated areas. At the same time, the combination of more rain and snowmelt increases the risk of flooding at lower altitudes.
“Significant flooding below 5,000 feet along the central California coast, San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento Valley and southern Sierra Nevada foothills through Tuesday,” the service said.
STORM SLAMS CONDITION:The California storm brings flooding, levee breaches and evacuations
More than 8,500 people were under evacuation orders
At least two deaths were caused by the latest storm and a third is being investigated for its connection to the weather.
More than 8,500 people were under evacuation orders and warnings Saturday in Monterey County, where a levee failed, flooding the unincorporated community of Pajaro, home to about 1,700 residents, a large number of them Latino farm workers.
YOSEMITE STILL CLOSED:The park will not reopen until St. Patrick’s Day at the earliest due to winter weather
Rain and snow from the upcoming system, which carries warm subtropical moisture from near Hawaii across the Pacific, is expected to stretch from central California to Oregon and northern Nevada.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared emergencies in 34 counties in recent weeks, and the Biden administration on Friday morning approved a presidential disaster declaration for some, a move that will bring more federal aid. President Joe Biden spoke to Newsom on Saturday to pledge the federal government’s support in California’s response to the emergency, the White House said.
Contribution: The Associated Press
