Season's biggest storms arrive, starting today. Will be an interesting next few days, with lots of rain and high winds. Stay as dry as you can!
[QUOTE]CNNThe first in a potent pair of
atmospheric river-fueled storms is lashing Northern California with heavy rain and wind Wednesday.
More than 20 million people across California were under flood alerts Wednesday morning as the soaking storms raise the flood threat across much of the state into next week.
The wet pattern will likely continue well into February as a more typical
El Niño pattern kicks into gear after going missing to start winter.
The storm is starting out very warm – fueled by moisture from near Hawaii that earns it the moniker of a pineapple express – and will unload mainly rain in all but the absolute highest elevations in Northern California Wednesday. Central California should expect steady rain and gusty winds to begin late Wednesday and continue into Thursday.
Steady rainfall and periods of stronger winds will arrive in Southern California by Thursday morning. At the same time, much cooler air will begin to overspread the state.
Flooding is possible across a significant portion of California Wednesday and Thursday. A Level 2 out of 4 risk of excessive rainfall is in place Wednesday for portions of Northern and Central California, according to the Weather Prediction Center. The same risk level exits Thursday for Southern California as the rain shifts south./QUOTE]