The weather across the Pacific Coast is recovering as a strong storm system spins off the coast, bringing in a strong atmospheric river of the Pineapple Express.
The storm threatens multiple impacts, including flash flooding, damaging winds, power outages and possible landslides.
The Pineapple Express is a weather pattern that brings a lot of moisture from the tropical Pacific near Hawaii and hits the West Coast hard.
This weather pattern can carry up to 27 times more water than the Mississippi River, and usually features several inches of rain.
“The Pacific Northwest has taken the brunt of the wet weather over the past few days,” said FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar.
“Now, it has finally shifted to the beach. So not only are we talking about rain, but we also have wind warnings in place for the West Coast, especially for the mountains.
Atmospheric storm Pineapple Express will dump tropical moisture on the Pacific Coast this week and may produce flash flooding, damaging winds, power outages and possible landslides. FOX Weather
Winds reached 55-70 mph along several elevated locations across Northern California, including 70 mph along the Pine Mountain Fire Road north of San Francisco in Marin County at 1,700 feet.
And a tree south of San Jose, in the community of Saratoga, fell during high winds, injuring a child.
Firefighters said the child was lucky to have only minor injuries, and things could have turned out differently.
Wind gusts may reach 60-70 mph along the southern Oregon coast and northern California, with gusts higher in the mountains.
Coastal ranges may see as much as 4-6 inches of rain. FOX Weather
Wind gusts could also reach 50-55 mph along coastal areas of the San Francisco Bay Area, with widespread gusts of 45-50 mph possible across much of Northern California.
A High Wind Warning has been issued there as a result. This wind has the potential to knock down trees, causing power outages. It will also cause many delays at San Francisco International Airport.
Flood Watches cover much of the Northern and Central California coast, including the San Francisco Bay Area, through Friday morning as heavy rain is expected to lead to flooded roads and small rivers. Larger rivers may overflow their banks, leading to minor floods as well.
Forecast snow totals for the West through Sunday, Feb. 4. 2024. FOX Weather
The progressive nature of the rain, which will move south relatively quickly, will be a limiting factor to the risk of more significant flooding with this storm, the FOX Prediction Center said.
Rain totals in Northern California are expected to reach 2-3 inches, including the San Francisco Bay Area. Coastal ranges may see as much as 4-6 inches of rain.
Snowfall forecast for the Sierra Nevada
Heavy snow will begin Wednesday in the Sierra. Travel will be difficult and impossible due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibility at times, with the possibility of chain controls and road closures.
Snow can fall up to 2 inches per hour. Up to 4 feet of snow will fall at the highest elevations, and snow could accumulate to 3,500 feet, the FOX Forecast Center said. This will help the small snowpack that is only at 50% of average, but it will not completely erase the snow deficit.
GOES-18 satellite image of a major storm headed for the West Coast, taken midday on January 30, 2024. NOAA
Snow will also be a factor in the mountains of southern California. The cold nature of the system will allow snow levels to drop below 4,000 feet, the FOX Forecast Center added.
Those traveling along I-5 through the Grapevine region should take it slow as snow levels will drop below 4,000 feet.
On the coast, large, powerful waves are expected to batter the coast from Oregon down through Southern California. A High Surf Advisory is in effect for large waves, which could tear up popular beaches.
City of Oakland Municipal Services Center and Park and Tree Service workers prepare sandbags in Oakland on January 31, 2024. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The National Weather Service (NWS) says wave heights for the Southern Oregon Coast through San Francisco Beach will range from 22-26 feet. Los Angeles beaches are forecast to have 8-12 foot waves, and San Diego beaches will have 10 foot waves.
Pineapple Express rolls into the Los Angeles area on Thursday
The storm is forecast to move into Southern California and the Los Angeles area on Thursday, likely leading to delays during the morning commute.
The lowlands are expected to receive 1-2 inches of rain, while the surrounding mountains and hills may see 2-5 inches. The rain is expected to cause flooding, causing road closures and debris on mountain and canyon roads.
The City of San Diego has already issued an evacuation notice for the same neighborhood that experienced flash flooding last week. Reuters
The most vulnerable are those across the San Diego metro area, which was recently affected by last Monday’s devastating floods.
The City of San Diego has already issued an evacuation notice for the same neighborhood that experienced flash flooding last week.
The NWS has warned of an increased risk of landslides in Western Washington due to heavy rain.
Local residents and volunteers of the newly flooded Southcrest neighborhood help fill sandbags in a park as they prepare for the first of two atmospheric weather systems expected to bring heavy rain to San Diego, California, on January 31, 2024. REUTERS
Two landslides have occurred – one in Seattle and the other in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains.
The main storm system will move overhead late Thursday.
As a result, heavy rain will be replaced by scattered showers and even some thunderstorms, which will last until Friday.
Workers stack sandbags along a street for Oakland residents in Oakland, California on January 31, 2024. JOHN G MABANGLO/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
A second storm for Southern California has the potential for even greater flooding impacts
However, the storm pattern will not end there. Another potentially more impactful storm is forecast to hit Southern California starting late this weekend.
“(This storm) has an increasing potential for damaging flooding and is among the most worrisome (of the week),” the NWS in Los Angeles wrote.
The FOX Forecast Center says early forecasts show this slow-moving storm has the potential to bring several days of heavy rain to the region.
More widespread flooding and heavier mountain snow become increasingly likely.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
