A Significant Atmospheric River Event to Bring More Rainfall and Flooding to California this Week
On Monday, California is expected to receive additional rainfall that may cause increased flooding across the state. During the early part of the week, a large portion of the state will experience a major atmospheric river phenomenon, with associated excessive rain. Two significant rainstorms will hit the West Coast over the next three days.
Authorities are concerned that there won’t be much of a pause in between these events for the water to recede or for much cleanup. Flash floods are especially likely over scars caused by wildfires. Heavy Snow and strong winds are also expected in Northern California.
These storms follow hard on the heels of the bomb cyclone that has already caused flooding, uprooted trees, and disrupted power grids. On Sunday, more than 400,000 residents were without power.
Assessing the Impact
To make timely decisions concerning these events, EigenPrism® users can assess risks using the following quick links:
- NA 5-day Flood Potential as of 2023-01-08 – v3 | v4
- 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook as of 2023-01-09 – v3 | v4
- 72-hour observed snow accumulation as of 2023-01-09 – v3 | v4
- 1-3 Day Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact as of 2023-01-09 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Snow Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-09 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-09 – v3 | v4
- Daily Peak Wind Gust across NA as of 2023-01-08 – v3 | v4
For subscribers of KatRisk and ICEYE, real-time California flood footprints within EigenPrism® are now available for analysis:
- West Coast (US) 2023 Inland Flood Inundation Footprint from KatRisk as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- HeavyRain – Northern California (USA) – Flood Inundation Footprint from ICEYE as of 2023-01-08 – v3 | v4
- HeavyRain – Northern California (USA) – Flood Extent Footprint from ICEYE as of 2023-01-08 – v3 | v4
January 5th, 2023 | Bomb Cyclone Slams California, Causing Mudslides, Fierce Winds, and Additional Flooding
A catastrophic storm that pounded coastal California with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain is still raging. Now, the bomb cyclone is pummeling major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sacramento.
On Thursday morning, several communities around Malibu received more than 2 inches of rain in six hours; this deluge may cause mudslides. In the Santa Cruz County town of Capitola, strong waves wrecked piers, and floods inundated nearby businesses.
Hopper Canyon, Alpine Meadows, and Kirkwood Meadows all experienced wind gusts of at least 130 mph. Wind gusts exceeded 100 mph in Grapevine Peak, Pulga, and Nicasio. Elsewhere, at Squaw Peak in Oregon, wind gusts of 106 mph were recorded. More than 130,000 homes and businesses in California have been without power.
Another storm is expected to hit this weekend, bringing even more rain and wind.
Assessing the Impact
To make timely decisions concerning these events, EigenPrism® users can assess risks using the following quick links:
- NA 5-day Flood Potential as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- 72-hour observed snow accumulation as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- 1-3 Day Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Snow Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-06 – v3 | v4
- Daily Peak Wind Gust across NA as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- Landslide Potential as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
For subscribers of KatRisk and ICEYE, real-time California flood footprints within EigenPrism® are now available for analysis:
- West Coast (US) 2023 Inland Flood Inundation Footprint from KatRisk as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
- HeavyRain – Northern California (USA) – Flood Inundation Footprint from ICEYE as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- HeavyRain – Northern California (USA) – Flood Extent Footprint from ICEYE as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
January 5th, 2023 | Bomb Cyclone Slams California with Hurricane-Force Winds and Heavy Rain, Threatening Floods
On Wednesday night, an explosive bomb cyclone battered the coast of California, causing widespread destruction and travel chaos. The storm delivered torrential rain and hurricane-force winds as it moved inland. The Bay Area was the hardest hit.
Nicasio Hills and Los Gatos both experienced peak wind gusts of 85 mph and 77 mph, respectively. More than 178,000 homes and businesses in California were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.US. Through Thursday, the low-pressure storm system also brought heavy snowfall, severe winds, and abundant rain to most of California and southern Oregon.
At least 3 feet of snow is expected to fall in the Sierra Nevada which may cause hazardous conditions. 2 to 4 inches of rain and wind gusts of more than 50 mph are predicted for San Francisco and other central Californian cities into Thursday. There is a high risk of mudslides in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and other areas recently burned by wildfire.
Assessing the Impact
To make timely decisions concerning these events, EigenPrism® users can assess risks using the following quick links:
- NA 5-day Flood Potential as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
- 3-Day Excessive Rainfall Outlook as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
- 72-hour observed snow accumulation as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
- 1-3 Day Potential Winter Storm Overall Impact as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Snow Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- 72-Hr Forecast Freezing Rain Accumulation (90th Percentile) as of 2023-01-05 – v3 | v4
- Daily Peak Wind Gust across NA as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
- Landslide Potential as of 2023-01-04 – v3 | v4
For subscribers of KatRisk, real-time California flood footprints are now available for analysis in EigenPrism®:
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