How California’s storms are projected to become more extreme with climate change
11 months ago

How California’s storms are projected to become more extreme with climate change

LA Times  

Scientists have long known that as the atmosphere gets warmer, the air is able to hold more moisture. “In general, this allows the most intense downpours to get more intense, because there can be a greater amount of water vapor in the air,” UCLA atmospheric scientist Karen McKinnon said. Explore the section As the climate warms, the atmospheric rivers that churn toward California over warmer ocean waters are projected to carry more water vapor, leading to more intense precipitation. Even though they haven’t yet seen an intensification of precipitation in the data, Gershunov said that eventually, as warming continues, “we expect the trend to emerge.” Debris lines the street in front of nine homes that were evacuated due to a landslide from heavy rainfall during the atmospheric river hitting in Studio City. “Definitely climate change has made every single weather event different from how it used to be, a little bit,” said Alex Hall, a UCLA climate scientist.

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History of this topic

California’s Wildfires Show No Signs of Slowing Down
55 years ago

California’s Wildfires Show No Signs of Slowing Down

Wired  

On Tuesday, Santa Ana winds swept seaward through Southern California, scattering embers and then fanning flames of a growing wildfire. The fires turned catastrophic so quickly because of unusually dry and windy conditions: “Any little spark, whether from a lightning strike or a person or a campfire is going to quickly, quickly escalate,” says Jennifer Marlon, research scientist and lecturer …

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year
4 weeks, 1 day ago

With bone-dry conditions, Southern California high fire danger could linger into the new year

LA Times  

By this time of year, Southern California has usually recorded some measurable rainfall. If the rains don’t come and the winds do, he said, “that will keep us in high fire season.” Two recent stretches of dangerous Santa Ana winds played out exactly the way forecasters worried they would, fueling the flames of major fires across coastal Southern California. “Down …

Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Northern California gets record rain and heavy snow

Associated Press  

HEALDSBURG, Calif. — Heavy downpours fell over much of Northern California on Friday, causing small landslides, overflowing a river and flooding some streets, including in parts of San Francisco. The storm arrived in the Pacific Northwest earlier this week, killing two people and knocking out power to hundreds of thousands, mostly in the Seattle area, before moving through Northern California, …

California’s rainy season begins with a bomb cyclone bang. Are we in for a third record wet winter?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

California’s rainy season begins with a bomb cyclone bang. Are we in for a third record wet winter?

LA Times  

Truckers hole up along the side of I-5 to let the storm pass before the highway is reopened in Weed, Calif. Supercharged by that dramatic bombogenesis and warm Pacific temperatures, which together pumped up the system’s winds and moisture, the storm could cause life-threatening flooding and damaging high surf north of the Bay Area, with prolonged, heavy rainfall, strong winds …

Northern California and Pacific Northwest brace for atmospheric river
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Northern California and Pacific Northwest brace for atmospheric river

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Weather Prediction Center issued excessive rainfall risks beginning …

California’s about to get its first big atmospheric river of the season. Here’s where it’s going
1 month, 3 weeks ago

California’s about to get its first big atmospheric river of the season. Here’s where it’s going

LA Times  

Two people share an umbrella as they stand on Haight Street in San Francisco. Numerous flash floods, hazardous travel, power outages, and tree damage can be expected as the storm reaches max intensity on Wed. pic.twitter.com/iFrmuUZfj7 — NWS Weather Prediction Center November 18, 2024 “A powerful storm system will bring heavy mountain snowfall, rain and high winds to the Pacific …

Unusually Intense Flooding in Spain: Two Climate Change Theories Loom
2 months, 1 week ago

Unusually Intense Flooding in Spain: Two Climate Change Theories Loom

Associated Press  

Spain is experiencing another devastating flood due to a combination of climate change and the unusual weather patterns affecting the region. At least 95 people have been killed in the flooding, with an ocean-based flood causing a flash drought in the United States. Scientists are exploring the potential connections between climate change and the recent floods, with some suggesting that …

Fast, wet and furious: How the North American monsoon floods the California desert
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Fast, wet and furious: How the North American monsoon floods the California desert

LA Times  

In the middle of summer, most Southern Californians would be surprised to see more than a handful of clouds in the sky. While it is less well-known than its South Asian counterpart, the North American monsoon plays an important role in the climate of the Four Corners states, bringing crucial moisture to areas that would otherwise be bone dry, but …

Heat wave, thunderstorms to raise the risk of wildfires in California
5 months, 1 week ago

Heat wave, thunderstorms to raise the risk of wildfires in California

LA Times  

Arcadia Summer Camp counselor Jamaal Saldin serves as a launching pad for young campers during an outing at Bonelli Park’s swim beach at Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas. Temperatures could approach 100 degrees in Woodland Hills on Friday and 105 on Saturday or Sunday, said Mike Wofford, a NWS meteorologist in the Oxnard office. “It’ll be one to two degrees …

Tropical moisture mixes with California’s heat, driving storms, flood potential, fire risks
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Tropical moisture mixes with California’s heat, driving storms, flood potential, fire risks

LA Times  

Women walk with an umbrella on a hot day at Hollywood & Highland. California’s latest heat wave has drawn tropical moisture into the region, causing severe thunderstorms in some inland areas that forecasters warn could continue to cause flash flooding and dangerous lightning through at least Wednesday night. The Sierra Nevada and surrounding foothills also have a high risk for …

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California
6 months, 4 weeks ago

El Niño makes an exit, but La Niña could bring dry conditions back to California

LA Times  

After a year of dominance, El Niño’s wrath has come to end — but its climate-churning counterpart, La Niña, is hot on its heels and could signal a return to dryness for California. “La Niña generally results in cooler global mean temperatures,” L’Heureux said in an email. “The tilt toward increased chances of below-average precipitation and above-average temperatures for the …

‘Unseasonably cold’ storm driving another chilly, damp weekend for Southern California
8 months, 1 week ago

‘Unseasonably cold’ storm driving another chilly, damp weekend for Southern California

LA Times  

Another chilly and damp weekend is on tap for Southern California as a storm brings cooler temperatures, possible showers and some strong winds. The system is not expected to deliver any major blows, but it’s forecast to further drop temperatures and deepen the marine layer through at least Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. Most of the rain from …

Cold storm brings high winds, showers to California on Friday, but weekend to clear up
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Cold storm brings high winds, showers to California on Friday, but weekend to clear up

LA Times  

Visitors to the Hansen Dam bike path faced cold winds and clouds earlier this month. High winds continued to blast across Southern California on Friday, as a cold storm moved across the state, forecast to also bring some showers, thunderstorms and mountain snow — and the potential for power outages and hazardous air quality. But on Friday, the chance for …

‘Rivers in the sky’ have drenched California, yet even more extreme rains are possible
8 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Rivers in the sky’ have drenched California, yet even more extreme rains are possible

LA Times  

For years, scientists have said that atmospheric rivers can either make or break the water supplies of thirsty California cities and farms. The research provides the most historical context to date for the state’s rainfall variability, and found that the region “consistently registered extreme precipitation over a 3,200-year period.” Biola University students take turns using a rope from a footbridge …

Coldest storm of the year brings rain, thunder and snow to Southern California
9 months, 1 week ago

Coldest storm of the year brings rain, thunder and snow to Southern California

LA Times  

A runner jogs along the sand as waves roil the ocean along an empty beach in Santa Monica. There was a chance for snow at elevations as low as 2,000 feet in the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego county mountains — the lowest freezing point seen this year, said Rich Thompson, a National Weather Service meteorologist in …

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues
9 months, 1 week ago

‘Way, way, way above normal’ rains could set all-time L.A. record as wet weather continues

LA Times  

A jogger and palm trees are reflected in a pool of standing rain along the beach path as a late-season storm moves out of Southern California on Sunday in Santa Monica. That wet pattern has continued as winter has given way to spring, with this past weekend’s storm dumping up to 4 inches of rain in some areas — pushing …

Gusty winds, rainy conditions to continue across Southern California through the weekend
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Gusty winds, rainy conditions to continue across Southern California through the weekend

LA Times  

A man who chose not to give his name holds an umbrella while selling plants during a rainy day at Leimert Park Plaza on Saturday in Los Angeles. Gusty winds and rainy conditions will continue across Southern California this weekend, with intermittent showers expected through Sunday morning. Steady rain will continue in Los Angeles County until about noon, followed by …

Another rainstorm is heading to Southern California this weekend
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Another rainstorm is heading to Southern California this weekend

LA Times  

A rainbow appears over Ballast Point Brewing Long Beach amid light rain as Ashley Contreras of Long Beach takes in the scene at the Alamitos Bay Inlet jetty in Long Beach on March 15. Southern Californians can expect to see another bout of rain and cooler temperatures this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. The storm isn’t expected to …

After a weird summer of floods and heatwaves, scientists explain why weather extremes are 'on steroids'
10 months, 2 weeks ago

After a weird summer of floods and heatwaves, scientists explain why weather extremes are 'on steroids'

ABC  

When winds as high as 260 kilometres per hour tore down transmission towers in South Australia in 2016 and plunged the state into an electricity void, it took people by surprise. In many ways the terms "climate change" and "global warming" don't do enough to describe what is happening to the world, as the burning of fossil fuels causes the …

Another storm is coming to Southern California early next week. How big will it be?
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Another storm is coming to Southern California early next week. How big will it be?

LA Times  

Sam Hale of Garden Grove looks for driftwood he can use in landscaping projects Wednesday in a debris field left by the rain-swollen Santa Ana River in Huntington Beach. Southern Californians can brace for another round of wet weather, with a storm expected to hit the region early next week to cap off a month of historically wet weather. “This …

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?
10 months, 2 weeks ago

California’s rainy season is here. What does it mean for water supply?

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — After a dry start to winter, California’s rainy season is finally well under way. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print WHAT ABOUT SNOW? A man shovels snow off his car in the Cleveland National Forest, on Feb. 7, 2024, in eastern San …

After a brief reprieve more wet weather is on the way for Southern California
10 months, 4 weeks ago

After a brief reprieve more wet weather is on the way for Southern California

LA Times  

Gilberto Bueno rides a horse through a Duarte neighborhood as heavy rain pelted the region last week. Southern California is enjoying a brief reprieve from the wet weather, but it’s expected to return in a few days. Crisp morning temperatures will make way for sunny skies across Southern California this week, but don’t stash those umbrellas and rain boots away …

Climate change will bring megafloods to California
11 months ago

Climate change will bring megafloods to California

BBC  

Climate change will bring megafloods to California Getty Images 94% of California's population are under flood alerts Climate change is making it a matter of time before a megaflood hits the state. These severe floods in California are a "broadly underappreciated risk", according to a 2022 paper, co-authored by Daniel Swain and Xingying Huang, scientists at the National Centre for …

California Hit With Heavy Rain, Floods From Back-To-Back 'Pineapple Express' Storms
11 months, 1 week ago

California Hit With Heavy Rain, Floods From Back-To-Back 'Pineapple Express' Storms

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING LOS ANGELES — Heavy rain flooded California roadways and much-needed snow piled up in the mountains as the first of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pummeled the state Thursday. An atmospheric river, which is a long band of moisture that forms over the Pacific, was fueling the storms dousing the Los Angeles and San Diego areas, said National Weather …

El Niño and climate change are supercharging incoming storm, SoCal’s biggest this winter
11 months, 1 week ago

El Niño and climate change are supercharging incoming storm, SoCal’s biggest this winter

LA Times  

Storm clouds hang over Walton Lighthouse on Thursday in Santa Cruz. “As ocean temperatures warm, and as atmospheric temperatures warm, those rates of evaporation of water vapor into the lower atmosphere are going to increase quite quickly,” Swain said during a briefing Friday. “We’ve now seen this happen at least four times this year in California — in San Francisco, …

First of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pushes into California. Officials urge storm preparations
11 months, 1 week ago

First of back-to-back atmospheric rivers pushes into California. Officials urge storm preparations

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — The first of two back-to-back atmospheric rivers slowly pushed into California on Wednesday, triggering statewide storm preparations and calls for people to get ready for potential flooding, heavy snow and damaging winds. The first of two back-to-back atmospheric rivers slowly pushed into California on Wednesday, triggering statewide storm preparations and calls for people to get ready for …

California braces for inundation as atmospheric rivers barrel in from Pacific Ocean
11 months, 1 week ago

California braces for inundation as atmospheric rivers barrel in from Pacific Ocean

LA Times  

Still reeling from last year’s onslaught of winter wind and rain, communities along the California coast are bracing for a one-two punch of hefty storms that began to move onshore Wednesday and could bring turbulent weather across the state through at least early next week. “With more storms on the horizon, we’ll continue to mobilize every available resource to protect …

California isn’t prepared for turbocharged storms like the ones we’re getting this week
11 months, 1 week ago

California isn’t prepared for turbocharged storms like the ones we’re getting this week

LA Times  

As a series of major winter storms sweep over the West Coast this week, anxious Californians are looking back at the flash floods and the “thousand-year” deluge that shocked San Diego a week ago, and Oxnard a few weeks earlier, wondering what’s in store. Starting Tuesday night, and then again on Sunday, two “atmospheric river” systems will bring high winds …

Expect more intense rainfall events as the world warms, scientists say
1 year ago

Expect more intense rainfall events as the world warms, scientists say

NPR  

Expect more intense rainfall events as the world warms, scientists say Intense rain has caused flooding in the northeast this week. FADEL: For more on what coming storms could look like, Lauren Sommer is here from NPR's climate desk. She says, if we stay on the current path of climate change, rainfall gets even more extreme in many parts of …

Slow-moving Pacific storm threatens to bring California flooding and mudslides
1 year ago

Slow-moving Pacific storm threatens to bring California flooding and mudslides

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Heavy rains drenched parts of California on Wednesday, bringing the threat of flooding and mudslides as millions of people geared up for holiday travel, the National Weather Service said. “I guess buying presents for the holidays is just that important.” At Whiskey & Leather in Montecito, near coastal Santa Barbara northwest of Los Angeles, manager Karina Cota …

Slow-moving storm to bring heavy rain and flooding to Southern California before Christmas
1 year ago

Slow-moving storm to bring heavy rain and flooding to Southern California before Christmas

LA Times  

People brave a morning downpour as they make their way across a Santa Monica intersection on Wednesday. A tightly wound and well-defined low-pressure storm system about 300 miles off the San Francisco Bay Area is slowly making its way south, according to the National Weather Service. Residents in San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties should be …

Rain falls across California as thunderstorm threat grows. More storms forecast into weekend
1 year, 1 month ago

Rain falls across California as thunderstorm threat grows. More storms forecast into weekend

LA Times  

Most areas of Southern California can expect up to half an inch of rain Wednesday, forecasters said. Rain moved into Southern California Wednesday as back-to-back storms dancing off the coastline are forecast to bring successive rounds of precipitation into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters also warned Wednesday afternoon about a growing “instability” within the moisture-rich storm, …

Early season atmospheric river to bring significant rain next week to Southern California
1 year, 2 months ago

Early season atmospheric river to bring significant rain next week to Southern California

LA Times  

While strong winds remained a concern Thursday, meteorologists have their eye on a moisture-rich storm expected to bring significant rains to Southern California by the end of next week. An atmospheric river system with a “decent moisture plume” is forecast to hit Southern California as early as Wednesday, and is expected to bring up to 4 inches of rain to …

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms
1 year, 2 months ago

Officials urge California residents to brace for flooding as El Niño looms

LA Times  

With California facing the prospect of a second consecutive winter of heavy precipitation, state officials are urging residents to prepare for possible widespread flooding and evacuations in the coming months. Among the efforts is the Lower Elkhorn Basin Levee Setback Project, a $280-million endeavor that, in conjunction with a weir widening project from the Army Corps of Engineers, will send …

After drizzles, temperatures will move toward triple digits in Southern California
1 year, 3 months ago

After drizzles, temperatures will move toward triple digits in Southern California

LA Times  

Scott Hall, 38, makes his way along the hot pavement descending from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Temperatures will rise this week in Southern California, bringing summer weather back after brief drizzles over the weekend. The beginning of the Santa Ana wind season will push into the area this week, bringing a high of 94 on Thursday to downtown L.A., …

El Niño is getting stronger, and odds are tilting toward another wet winter for California
1 year, 3 months ago

El Niño is getting stronger, and odds are tilting toward another wet winter for California

LA Times  

A photo from March shows the El Rico Pipe Yard in Corcoran submerged from powerful storms and the resurgence of Tulare Lake. “Right now, if you had to put money on it, the good money would probably be on a significantly wetter-than-average second half to winter in particular,” Swain said during a briefing Thursday, noting that those months are already …

Volcano? Climate change? Bad luck? Why California was hit with 31 atmospheric river storms
1 year, 9 months ago

Volcano? Climate change? Bad luck? Why California was hit with 31 atmospheric river storms

LA Times  

As winter approached, few anticipated what was about to hit California. It could be random bad luck.” Many of winter’s atmospheric river storms came farther south, moved slowly after making landfall and came later in the season than in prior years — creating more disruption, said Chad Hecht, a research and operations meteorologist at the Center for Western Weather and …

‘Very, very dangerous’: These parts of California face flood risk from snowmelt, spring sun
1 year, 9 months ago

‘Very, very dangerous’: These parts of California face flood risk from snowmelt, spring sun

LA Times  

A vehicle drives through a flooded stretch of Garces Highway as the Tulare Lake Basin continues to fill with runoff from record rain and snow. “If you’re recreating in rivers and streams, the water is going to be cold and high and fast,” said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources. “We’ll keep a close eye on …

Another storm is expected to bring more snow and flooding to California
1 year, 9 months ago

Another storm is expected to bring more snow and flooding to California

NPR  

Another storm is expected to bring more snow and flooding to California Enlarge this image toggle caption Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Storms continue to surge into California and are expected to bring moderate to heavy rain and snow across the northern region of the state, the National Weather Service said. The severe weather is forecasted to last from …

Major storm caps California’s wet season with more rain, winds, snow
1 year, 9 months ago

Major storm caps California’s wet season with more rain, winds, snow

LA Times  

David Jannesn takes a selfie next to the raging Los Angeles river near Los Feliz Boulevard during a break from Wednesday’s rain. More rain, wind and mountain snow pelted California on Wednesday as a cold storm swirled over the soaked state, capping a soggy March and one of the most prodigious wet seasons in recent memory. The weather service has …

Heavy rain to hit Southern California; thousands flee flooding in Central Valley
1 year, 9 months ago

Heavy rain to hit Southern California; thousands flee flooding in Central Valley

LA Times  

A weary, storm-soaked California is bracing for another bout of heavy rain and snow, power outages and potential flooding this week as a cold weather system takes aim at the state. “The heaviest rain is definitely going to be in Southern California, and L.A. and San Diego will both probably see more rain out of this storm than a lot …

California risk shifts from drought to floods after record rain, snow
1 year, 9 months ago

California risk shifts from drought to floods after record rain, snow

LA Times  

Though California may be ending its winter with quenched reservoirs and near record snowpack, meteorologists are warning that the state will face increased flooding risk in the coming months as Sierra Nevada snowmelt fills rivers and streams. “Is it gradual snowmelt — in which case the flood concerns would be mostly minor — or is it more rapid … in …

Confirmed: Global floods, droughts worsening with warming
1 year, 9 months ago

Confirmed: Global floods, droughts worsening with warming

Associated Press  

The intensity of extreme drought and rainfall has “sharply” increased over the past 20 years, according to a study published Monday in the journal Nature Water. “It’s incredible that we can now monitor the pulse of continental water from outer space,” said Park Williams, a bioclimatologist at the University of California, Los Angeles who was not involved with the study. …

Another atmospheric river storm to hit soaked California, raising fears of more floods
1 year, 9 months ago

Another atmospheric river storm to hit soaked California, raising fears of more floods

LA Times  

Floodwaters cover the Pajaro Valley on Sunday after stormwaters from a heavy atmospheric river broke through a levee along the Pajaro River, inundating homes and businesses. It will create “considerable flooding impacts below 5,000 feet elevation across much of the California Coast and Central Valley and over the southern Sierra Nevada foothills,” the National Weather Service said. “We just got …

New storm may hit California, weather body alerts on severe flooding
1 year, 9 months ago

New storm may hit California, weather body alerts on severe flooding

India Today  

California has been suffering major flooding and continued miserable weather conditions, while a new storm has threatened another onslaught of rainfall in the region. The National Weather Service said the next system could exacerbate severe flooding that has overwhelmed the area in recent days, calling for widespread evacuations in farming areas near the state's central coast. The new alert is …

Atmospheric river floods California towns, brings rain, snow
1 year, 10 months ago

Atmospheric river floods California towns, brings rain, snow

India Today  

More than 9,000 California residents were under evacuation orders Friday as a new atmospheric river brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, swelling rivers and creeks and flooding several major highways and small rural communities. READ | Gigantic winter storm across northern US to produce brutal cold, blizzards Wingfield said living near Soquel Creek has meant being aware there might …

California lowering dam water levels, warns of flood threat as storm hits
1 year, 10 months ago

California lowering dam water levels, warns of flood threat as storm hits

LA Times  

Workers release water from the Santa Anita Dam after a series of January storms. Anne Lynch, integrated water management lead with the consulting firm GHD, said it’s good news that the state’s reservoirs are being actively managed for flood control, especially in areas that saw flooding previously. “It’s a complicated thing.” Some areas that flooded during the previous storms, such …

More rain and snow bound for California as back-to-back atmospheric rivers approach
1 year, 10 months ago

More rain and snow bound for California as back-to-back atmospheric rivers approach

NPR  

More rain and snow bound for California as back-to-back atmospheric rivers approach Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images Another set of storms is expected to hit California in the coming days and over the weekend, continuing the state's spate of recent extreme weather since the beginning of the year. Starting Thursday, forecasters say back-to-back "atmospheric …

Another atmospheric river is heading for California. Here’s what SoCal can expect
1 year, 10 months ago

Another atmospheric river is heading for California. Here’s what SoCal can expect

LA Times  

Deanna Beaudoin helps a neighbor shovel a shared driveway on Monday in Crestline. Forecasters are growing increasingly concerned about the potential for flooding and structural damage as another atmospheric river storm is slated to hit California this week and drop warm rain atop the state’s near-record snowpack. “That could pose some issues at higher elevations where they’ve got a lot …

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