Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Atmospheric River to Soak California Thursday, Triggering High Winds and Flood Risks

Officials issued evacuation warnings for Los Angeles burn‑scar areas due to the threat of debris flows.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: An aerial view of the Los Angeles River swollen by storm runoff as a powerful long-duration atmospheric river storm, the second in less than a week, continues to impact Southern California on February 5, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Nearly seven inches of rain have fallen in downtown Los Angeles during the storm, about half the average yearly total. The storm is delivering widespread flooding, landslides and power outages while dropping heavy rain and snow across the region. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Image
A high wind warning remains in effect for the coastal North Bay, the Marin hills, San Francisco and coastal San Mateo County, with wind advisories issued for the North Bay and San Francisco.

Overview

  • San Francisco and the coastal Peninsula are under a high wind warning from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday, with gusts up to 60 mph and isolated 70 mph on ridgelines and a risk of widespread power outages.
  • The Bay Area’s heaviest rain is now expected between about 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Thursday, with rainfall rates of 0.5 to 1 inch per hour likely to slow the morning commute and cause urban flooding and ponding.
  • Wind advisories cover much of the region, with some extended through Thursday afternoon south of the Golden Gate, as the main frontal band progresses south across the Central Coast by early to mid‑afternoon.
  • NWS projections for Southern California call for widespread 2–4 inches of rain with isolated 5–6 inches in foothills and mountains, and evacuation warnings are in place for the Palisades, Hurst, Sunset, and Altadena Eaton Fire burn zones from Thursday evening through Sunday morning.
  • Forecasters express high confidence in the initial Thursday frontal passage but low confidence for Friday through Sunday because a cut‑off low could slow or redirect additional rounds of rain.