Over the next few days, a winter storm is gaining momentum in California, causing concerns about possible inundation and hail with powerful wind gusts. Even sudden tornadoes may occur as it moves towards southern regions.
Meteorologist Brayden Murdock from the National Weather Service office in San Francisco reported that Oakland and San Jose experienced wind gusts of over 30 mph as a gentle cold front transformed into a stronger storm on Sunday.
“On Sunday afternoon, Murdock noted that the winds were gaining strength and becoming more intense. He also predicted heavy rainfall in the near future,” was stated by Murdock.
Many areas along the central coast of California are at high risk for flooding due to an expected rainfall of approximately 5 inches. As the storm heads towards greater Los Angeles, isolated spots in the Santa Lucia and Santa Ynez mountain ranges could receive as much as 10 inches of rain.
The weather service office in Sacramento warned about thunderstorms expected to hit valleys surrounding the state capital on Monday. The storms could bring along gusty winds, lightning, heavy rainfall, brief tornadoes, and small hail in large amounts.
Despite the fact that the present storm is anticipated to pass through at a faster pace than its predecessor, which lingered over Southern California as an atmospheric river and resulted in widespread flooding, landslides, and deaths; it still presents substantial obstacles.
While it may not be an optimal configuration for an atmospheric river, Murdock remarked that there are some shared attributes between the two. Specifically, a string of subtropical dampness trails in the storm’s wake. Other than this component, however, its main feature is a cold front.
Forecasters warn that this cold front has enough potency to bring about flash flooding and power outages. As a result, flood watches and warnings have been issued for coastal areas and mountainous regions across the state.
Anticipate rainfall in the mountainous areas, specifically on Sierra Nevada range elevations above 6,800 feet. There is a probability of several feet of snowfall occurring there, too. Drivers should veer away from routes that cut through these mountain ranges.
The weather service office in Reno, Nevada, advised completing Sierra travel by Sunday daytime or postponing until later next week. Moreover, they warned of a backcountry avalanche watch for the greater Lake Tahoe region and Inyo and Mono counties in eastern Sierra.
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To prepare for the potential impact of the storm, personnel and equipment were dispatched to vulnerable areas by California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services after activating its operation center on Saturday.