The US National Weather Service issued urgent and severe warnings for California residents, announcing the start of a three-day period of intense weather disturbances. Forecasts indicate that Southern California will receive up to 15 centimeters of rain, creating a significant risk of flash flooding and torrential downpours.
According to Bloomberg News, this weather system is not limited to rain; it also coincides with powerful winter storms accompanied by gale-force winds that could reach speeds of up to 112 kilometers per hour. These strong winds pose a direct threat to infrastructure, increasing the likelihood of large trees falling and power lines being downed, potentially leaving thousands of homes without electricity, in addition to the significant risks to travelers on highways.
Precautionary measures and warnings of collapses
In a swift response to these forecasts, local authorities in Los Angeles County issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas threatened by mudslides. These concerns are particularly acute in areas previously affected by wildfires, where the soil is unstable and more prone to erosion during heavy rainfall, posing a significant risk to life and property.
Climatic context: Atmospheric rivers and their impact
These storms are part of a regular weather pattern that strikes the US West Coast during winter and is often associated with atmospheric rivers. These narrow channels of condensed moisture in the atmosphere transport water vapor from the tropics toward the mid-latitudes, and when they encounter California's mountainous terrain, they cause heavy rainfall and snowfall. These phenomena are a double-edged sword; they are essential for replenishing water reservoirs after years of drought, but they also carry the risk of natural disasters.
Heavy snow and impacts on travel
On the other side of the weather spectrum, the mountain regions are bracing for record snowfall. Forecasts indicate that up to 8 feet (approximately 2.4 meters) of snow could accumulate in the northern parts of the Sierra Nevada range by next Friday. While this heavy accumulation will benefit the state's future water reserves, it will undoubtedly paralyze mountain passes and close major roads, requiring extreme caution from residents and visitors.
