Heavy Rain Back in the Forecast for California and Beyond

Posted: January 12, 2023 12:24 pm

While much of the state of California enjoyed a brief respite from the heavy rain on Wednesday, more moisture is on the way for the storm weary state. Another round of storms is churning up in the Pacific Ocean, making its way to the western U.S. over the next few days. Here is the latest on the weather forecast for the West Coast.

Two More Storms Taking Aim at West Coast Through the Weekend

At least 14 people have lost their lives in California at the hands of this parade of storms that has been going on for several weeks. This week’s storm killed at least three people as it brought heavy rain, flash flooding, mudslides, sinkholes, and significant snow impacts throughout the state.

While the region had been begging for moisture because of the ongoing drought, now residents are begging for mercy. Unfortunately for those tired of the severe weather, at least two more storms are set to move into the area in the coming week.

The good news for California is that the next major storm is expected to move onshore farther to the north, impacting the Pacific Northwest with the greatest intensity. This storm track will translate to heavy rain and snow for parts of Oregon and Washington state.

Residents of the northwestern corner of the U.S. can expect widespread rainfall amounts measuring between 1 and 3 inches from the Canadian border south into Northern California. This rain is forecast to be the heaviest on Thursday and Friday. The hardest-hit zone will likely be Northern California and southwestern Oregon with over 6 inches of rain a possibility.

After seeing a drying out on Wednesday and Thursday, major cities such as Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose will be back in the line of fire for more rain on Friday. However, the moisture is expected to be less intense than what the area has seen over the last several days.

This weather pattern will increase the risks of flash flooding and landslides, potentially hampering travel up and down the West Coast. Up in the higher terrains of the Cascades and the Sierra Nevada, the moisture will fall as snow, further raising the threat of avalanches.

Second Storm on the Horizon

Another storm is predicted to move in from the Pacific just in time to wreak havoc with weekend plans. This storm may be bad news for California by Saturday. Like the previous storms that battered California, this weather maker will also usher in gusty winds to whip around the rain. More power outages may be the result of this second storm.

In addition, travelers can expect to see cascading delays on both the roads and in the skies. The major hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles will be vulnerable to delays and cancellations because of the inclement weather.

While Friday’s rain event will likely spare Southern California, the rain may be back in the forecast for this popular tourist destination by the weekend. It has already been an exceptionally wet year for areas such as Los Angeles. For instance, downtown Los Angeles has recorded 5.28 inches of rain already in January. This measurement is equal to about 160% of normal for the entirety of the month.

San Francisco is now sitting at about 138% of normal for the month of January as of the 11th. This equates to rainfall of over four times the average amount for the first 10 days of January.

When Will Relief Come?

The good news is that the weekend storm is forecast to move along at a fast clip. This is in contrast to the prior atmospheric rivers that stalled out over the state. The bulk of California should see drier weather by Sunday.

However, the moisture will then push through to areas of Utah, Nevada, and Arizona to close out the weekend. Be sure to check in with the local forecast if you live in this part of the country.

As for California, more rain is creeping into the extended forecast heading into the third week of January. A gradual weakening of the La Niña weather pattern may send these storms farther to the north as the calendar flips to February.

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