Northern California is facing the brunt of yet another powerful winter storm, bringing with it a slew of hazardous weather conditions. As the system moves southward over the next two days, forecasters have issued warnings of possible flooding, hail, strong winds, and even the chance of short tornadoes.
Weathering the Storm
The storm made its initial impact felt on Sunday, with gusts exceeding 30 mph (48 kph) in cities like Oakland and San Jose.
According to meteorologist Brayden Murdock from the National Weather Service office in San Francisco, what began as a mild cold front late Saturday has escalated into a more formidable weather system set to peak in intensity by early Monday.
Murdock cautioned, “The winds are here and getting stronger, and the rains will follow quickly.” The central coast of California faces a significant risk of flooding, with forecasts predicting up to 5 inches (12 cm) of rainfall in many areas.
Moreover, the Santa Lucia and Santa Ynez mountain ranges could see isolated rain totals of up to 10 inches (25 cm) as the storm advances towards greater Los Angeles.
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California Gears Up for Severe Storm and Snowfall
The impending storm also brings the threat of thunderstorms sto the valleys surrounding the state capital, potentially spawning “brief tornadoes, large amounts of small hail, heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds,” as warned by the weather service office in Sacramento via social media.
Meanwhile, rainfall is expected to be widespread, even extending into the mountainous regions. However, motorists are advised to steer clear of mountain routes, as several feet of snow could accumulate at elevations above approximately 6,800 feet (2,070 meters) across the Sierra Nevada range.
In response to the impending danger, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services activated its operations center on Saturday. Personnel and equipment have been strategically positioned in areas deemed most vulnerable to mitigate potential risks and ensure swift responses to any emergencies that may arise.
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