Storm to dump heavy rain and snow on US West

Simulation of moisture stream into Central California on Monday from GFS model.

Northern California is on track to record its wettest winter ever. Additionally, classes were canceled at Valley View School in anticipation of the storm.

A storm this strong, at such a low latitude, is rare for California, the Weather Service’s San Diego forecast office said.

Rainfall was expected to increase substantially in Orange and L.A. counties, which could see anywhere from three to five inches of rain and perhaps flash flooding by the evening, ABC News reported.

The number 3 and number 4 lanes of southbound Highway 99 just north of Rosedale will be closed approximately 6-8 hours for repairs, according to CHP, who also cited foggy conditions around the Bakersfield area around the same time.

Several traffic deaths were also reported on slick and flooded roads, but it was hard to say which were a direct result of the storm. Another storm is expected to move into the area early next week, following a short break on Sunday.

According to the Los Angeles Times, firefighters have had to come to the rescue of 15 people trapped in their cars after a flash flood swept cars away in Sun Valley, and rescue crews have taken to the water in boats to rescue 7 people and 2 dogs from flooded homes bordering the Los Angeles river.

The storm was expected to last until Saturday afternoon in Southern California.

In addition to the heavy rain, strong winds are forecast along the coast with gusts over 45 miles per hour possible.

“It’s good for me”, he said.

There will also be unsafe, locally damaging surf at the beaches from Thursday through Sunday, particularly for west-facing beaches Rip currents, beach erosion and minor coastal flooding are also expected.

Authorities ordered mandatory evacuations over concerns that an emergency spillway at the dam could fail and threaten nearby communities. The area is reportedly still operating under an emergency situation. As of Saturday, the lake’s water elevation had fallen more than 45 feet.

The DWR suggested it should be able to handle the next surge of water.

The rain headed for the north likely won’t pose a threat to Oroville Dam, officials said Saturday, thanks to falling water levels.

Oroville Dam is the highest in the nation, and its reservoir is the second-largest in the state. He noted “dam operations can not release water at as high a rate as they would under normal circumstances, meaning that the Oroville Dam may once again fill to the brim if storm or snowmelt-related inflows become high enough”.

Disaster preparedness website Ready.gov has released a set of safety tips for winter storms that includes flood preparation and more.

Some research shows that extremely prolific atmospheric rivers could become far more common – perhaps twice as common as they are now – in parts of California by the end of the century, though this is still a matter of scientific debate.