Evacuation alerts are sent out due to flood risks in California from an atmospheric river.

Severe Storms Expected in California

SAN FRANCISCO — An atmospheric river is moving into California, bringing days of intense rainfall, strong winds, and potentially several feet of snow to the region, especially in the early part of next week, marking the start of the rainy season.

This storm is predicted to deliver what could be months’ worth of rain to Southern California within just a few days, with flash flooding risks looming over the Bay Area and Northern California by Thursday.

According to forecasts, multiple waves of rain will impact Southern California. The first wave is anticipated on Friday morning, but the most intense period will occur Friday night into Saturday.

A Level 3 out of 4 flash flood threat is in effect for California on both Friday and Saturday.

On Friday, the areas most at risk will be the mountains near Los Angeles, particularly where there have been recent wildfires, such as around the Palisades fire.

Burn scars from wildfires make the ground less able to absorb water due to ash, which creates a water-repellent layer. This increases the likelihood of flash floods and debris flows, as noted by the National Weather Service.

Evacuation orders are now in effect for regions near the Palisades, Franklin, Easton, and Canyon fires.

Flood watches are active for much of Southern California, including major cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, impacting over 20 million residents.

Heavy rainfall is expected to peak on Saturday in Southern California, with humid conditions and likely rain from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.

Given that flooding is anticipated on Friday, additional rain on Saturday could exacerbate the situation significantly.

Parts of California’s coast, including areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles, might receive 3 to 5 inches of rain by Monday. In some localized areas, totals could reach as high as 5 to 8 inches.

Similarly, the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains might see those higher rainfall amounts as well.

If the storm behaves as predicted, it could result in one of the wettest Novembers Los Angeles has seen in 50 years.

Meanwhile, a winter weather warning is in place for the Sierra Nevada Mountains until Friday, with some of the highest mountain passes already closed.