New Atmospheric River Surges Renew Flood Threat Across California

Overview

• The Weather Prediction Center reports another round of heavy rain this evening with peak rates near 0.5 to 1.0 inches per hour and additional totals of roughly 1 to 4 inches, higher on windward slopes.
• Flash flooding remains likely on saturated terrain with risks of debris flows, mud and rockslides, and urban flooding across the Los Angeles Basin, Central Valley, Bay Area, and Sierra foothills.
• Short‑term focus areas include the Transverse Ranges and coastal counties from Los Angeles and Orange to San Bernardino, Riverside, and San Diego, with new rounds also targeting the Bay Area and Sacramento Valley.
• The Storm Prediction Center flags localized damaging gusts and brief waterspout or tornado potential near the coast, while keeping watch issuance probabilities low around 5–20 percent.
• Forecasters cite strong south‑to‑southwest flow and moisture transport near 500–600 kg/m/s driving efficient rainfall, with snow levels near 5000 feet keeping most foothill precipitation as rain.