Weekend Will Bring New Chance of Moisture for Much of California

Posted: January 27, 2023 2:37 pm

After a few weeks of relatively calm weather, yet another storm is moving in across the Pacific coast. Although this storm will be a far cry from what the region saw to start the year, the weather maker will still have the potential of triggering snow in the higher elevations and severe thunderstorms throughout Southern California. Here is the latest on this developing storm situation.

Pacific Storm Forecast to Slide South Into California

For the last week or two, the storms that have formed in the Pacific Ocean have been mostly sparing California and moving into Oregon and Washington instead. This northern track has been welcome news for the Golden State after it experienced a potent train of storms to close out 2022 and welcome 2023. While these storms did a great job at chipping away at the state’s ongoing drought situation, the intense weather caused havoc all over the region.

The calm is all about to change by late this weekend when a new storm is predicted to slide to the south with California in its sights. The shift in the storm track will be the result of an expected change in the jet stream pattern that is anchored over the northeastern corner of the Pacific Ocean. This shift will push the storm track farther to the south, bringing its impacts back into California.

Unlike the storms to start the year, this system will not be carrying a significant amount of tropical moisture. However, the jet stream energy coming in along for the ride will create its own set of impacts.

For instance, while there will not be an abundance of precipitation associated with this system, it will usher in gusty winds beginning late Sunday and continuing through Monday. Most of the moisture will be located in the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges, falling as snow rather than rain.

Timing of Precipitation

The first of the rain and snow will pop up in Northern California in the overnight hours Saturday into Sunday. The moisture will expand to the southeast as the weekend comes to a close before ending up in the Desert Southwest to start the work week.

Southern California should be prepared for the possibility of strong winds and thunderstorms to fire up on Monday and Tuesday. Major metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego will be in the line of fire for heavy rain and hail along with the gusty winds. There is also the chance of a rare tornado or waterspouts with this type of robust storm system.

The dip in the jet stream will also bring down notably colder air from the north. For example, the mercury will dip about 5 – 10 degrees below normal for the end of January in Northern California. It will be even colder in Southern California with the temperature dropping to about 20 degrees below average for the time of the year.

Snow Levels May Fall Below 3,000 Feet

The distinguishing feature of this system may end up being the low snow levels that will be likely as the temperatures plunge. While the snow that does not fall will not be notable compared to the recent storms this season, the plummeting snow levels will certainly be an inconvenience. Many passes across interstates 5 and 15 will be impacted with snow levels falling below 3,000 feet.

The mercury will fall low enough that some of the hilly terrains around San Diego and Los Angeles may see a few isolated snow flurries. Travel may be difficult across the Grapevine starting late Sunday and lasting through Tuesday morning. Motorists should be prepared for the potential of road closures due to poor visibility.

The snow will get started earlier in the mountain passes in the Sierra Nevada, including the heavily traveled Donner Pass along Interstate 80. The forecast is calling for a few inches of new accumulation beginning late Saturday. The mountainous areas of Interstate 5 in Northern California may also see this accumulation by the middle of the weekend.

The long-range forecast is predicting that more moisture will return to California and the West by the following weekend. This wet pattern may hang on for a few weeks before another drying out period. While there is still a chance for drought-stricken California to pick up significant moisture heading into the dry season, it is not likely that any of the upcoming storms will present the same amount of moisture seen earlier in the season.

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