California Under the Gun for Thunderstorms and Snow to Start the Week

The volatile week of weather across California is here, threatening thunderstorms, flooding, and heavy snow. Read on for a detailed look at the timing and likely impacts associated with this wild stretch of weather.

Three Powerful Storms on Tap for California This Week

California is under the gun for a potent series of storms that will bring a variety of impacts depending on elevation. Everything from heavy snow to isolated tornadoes is on the table over the next few days. The storms are being fueled by a deep plume of moisture originating in the Pacific Ocean. This moisture will lay the groundwork for the development of high winds, thunderstorm activity, and localized flooding. Colder temperatures in the higher elevations will translate to snowfall measured in feet.

The unsettled weather will be quite the change from the dry and docile stretch of conditions that have distinguished the last few weeks in the Golden State. Although the incoming storms will present a number of hazards, there is no doubt that the moisture is good news for the parched region. Water levels in key reservoirs throughout the state have been running at just half of the typical measurements seen in the middle of February.

A drenching rainfall will soak the zone from the coast to the valleys. Forecasters are predicting that the rain and snow will come in three waves. The first of these storms began to impact the coastal region on Sunday. The second round is expected to come down from the Pacific Northwest late Monday and through Tuesday. The third and final event will roar into the state on Thursday, training over the central coast and down into Southern California.

Over the course of the week, Southern California and the Central Valley will pick up rainfall of 1 to 2 inches. It will be even soggier along the central coast and up into Northern California, with rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches expected. Some highly localized rainfall amounts of over 4 inches are possible in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

The work week will get off to a fiery start in the northern edge of the Central Valley and coastal Southern California. The energy associated with the first storm of the week will support the development of strong thunderstorms for these regions. The Los Angeles area should prepare for storms capable of producing flash flooding, gusty winds, and isolated tornadic activity. The flooding threat will be the highest in urban areas and across recent burn scars.