New atmospheric river threatens flooding rain, 4-8 feet of snowfall for storm-weary California
Several inches of rain is likely to fall across much of the California lowlands, including mountainous areas in Southern California that received feet of heavy snow last week. Meanwhile, up to 8 feet of snow is once again possible in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada.
California's next big storm
Flooding rain and feet of snow are again poised to hit California with and atmospheric river-fueled storm starting Thursday. FOX Weather's Marissa Torres tracks the worst of the rain, snow and flooding.
CRESTLINE, Calif. – California has endured weeks of heavy rain and mountain snow, and it's about to add another week as more storms loom over the next several days.
Of particular concern is an atmospheric river eyeing Central and Southern California for the end of this week, promising a renewed round of several inches of lowland rain and feet of mountain snow to parts of the state that simply have too much of both right now.
‘QUITE CATASTROPHIC’: CALIFORNIA MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS PLEAD FOR MORE HELP AS FEET OF SNOW REMAIN
Flooding is also a growing concern for the region.
See California buried under staggering amounts of snow
Multiple weeks of intense snowstorms have left many Sierra Nevada and Southern California mountain communities struggling to dig themselves out.
How long will this atmospheric river last?
A pair of large low-pressure centers building off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and near Hawaii will work in tandem to direct a plume of tropical moisture into California. The storm could rate as high as a Level 3 on the 5-level atmospheric river scale.
WHAT DOES A ‘CATEGORY 5’ ATMOSPHERIC RIVER MEAN?
Heavy rain and mountain snow would begin on Thursday, peak on Thursday night and early Friday, but its effects would linger into the early weekend.
Warmer storm brings dual flooding threat of heavy rain, snowmelt
California's coastal regions could see 2 to 3 inches of rain, while the lower elevations of the mountains could see 3 to 5 inches of rain instead of snow this time as snow levels rise.
Warmer air will combine with the heavy rain and lingering snowpack in mountain towns buried in feet of snow to add melting snow to the flooding threats.
"That's because an atmospheric river brings warmer weather. This moisture is tapped from the tropics, the subtropics. And so it's just naturally warmer," FOX Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan said. "And that's important because some of these snow levels with recent systems, we saw snow at about a thousand feet, so some people saw graupel along the beach. But the snow level is going to be more than perhaps 8,000 feet through the Sierra. And that's significant. More than just the foothills are going to see rain."
The National Weather Service has already posted various flood alerts across much of California.
And the FOX Forecast Center warns that flash flooding is "very likely" in the Sierra and the coastal mountains and foothills, along with Sacramento and the entire coast from San Francisco to Santa Barbara.
State agencies are already warning residents about the potential runoff, which could lead to mudslides, flash flooding on roadways and swift-moving drainage canals and rivers.
Flash flooding, mudslides and feet of snow warn California officials with next storm
A California Department of Transportation official joins FOX Weather to talk about how the agency is getting ready for the onslaught of rain and snow. He also has warnings for travelers.
Up to 8 feet of snow looms for higher Sierra Nevada elevations – again
In higher elevations of the Sierra and Siskiyous, snow totals will once again be measured in several feet.
Winter Storm Watches and Warnings signal as much as 2 to 4 feet of new snow is expected above 7,000 feet, and around 6 to 8 feet of snow above 9,000 feet in the central and southern Sierra. Wind gusts along the mountain ridges could reach 75 mph or higher.
And the extended forecast shows perhaps even more stormy weather later in the weekend and early next week.
RIDICULOUS PHOTOS SHOW AFTERMATH OF 12 FEET OF SNOW IN CALIFORNIA'S SIERRA NEVADA
California mountain residents still dealing with impacts from previous deadly winter storms
The news that more snow is on the way only adds to the woes mountain residents already face in digging out from the incredible snowfalls of the past few weeks. Some areas received over 10 feet of snow in recent storms, leaving homes buried, streets impassable and supply runs limited.
Deputies confirmed to FOX 11 that one person was killed as a result from the ongoing winter storms.
The California National Guard has been shoveling snow and checking on residents in the San Bernardino mountain areas, some of who have been snowed in for more than a week.
"We are at day 11 since the storm first made its appearance here in San Bernardino County," Eric Sherwin with San Bernardino County Fire told FOX Weather on Monday, adding that the San Bernardino National Forest is home to the largest resident population of any national forest in the U.S., making for extreme logistical challenges.
"Over the past week and a half, we have performed over 100 rescues of residents within these mountain communities," he said. "During the first parts of the storm, the roads received so much snow that fire trucks, ambulances and patrol cars could not make access into these communities."
It will be a race against the clock to clear as much snow as possible before the heavy snow and rain return later this week.