- Summary Points
- California is set to face two ‘Pineapple Express’ atmospheric river storms, bringing heavy rain and winds.
- The first storm, expected in Northern California, could cause urban and small stream flooding.
- The second storm poses a greater flooding risk, especially in Southern California, with potentially record-breaking rainfall.
California is gearing up for a significant weather event as two atmospheric river storms, commonly referred to as the “Pineapple Express,” are forecast to hit the state. These storms are expected to bring substantial rainfall and strong winds, with serious implications for both Northern and Southern California.
An atmospheric river is essentially a narrow region in the atmosphere that transports moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes. When such a band originates near Hawaii and targets the U.S. West Coast, it’s termed a Pineapple Express. According to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain, the upcoming storms represent a classic, moderate-to-strong atmospheric river, and are particularly noteworthy for their intensity and potential impact.
The first storm, expected to arrive in Northern California on Wednesday, could unleash 2 to 4 inches of rain in some areas, accompanied by winds exceeding 30 miles per hour. This storm is projected to cause widespread urban and small stream flooding, particularly in the Northern region. The greater concern is with the second storm, anticipated to arrive on Sunday, bringing colder air and the likelihood of more significant snowfall in the Sierra Nevada.
Southern California, on the other hand, is bracing for “very heavy rainfall” from the second storm, which might result in more severe flooding due to the already saturated ground from the first storm. This could be exacerbated by strong winds, forecast to reach up to 70 miles per hour in the northern part of the state.
The potential for flooding is a major concern, with the second storm posing a heightened risk, especially for Southern California. According to computer models, the Los Angeles area could receive upwards of 7 inches of rain, a significant amount that could lead to considerable flooding. The bulk of this rainfall is expected to occur from Sunday through Wednesday.
In summary, these back-to-back Pineapple Express storms represent a formidable meteorological event for California, with the potential for widespread and significant impacts. Residents are advised to prepare for extreme weather conditions, including the possibility of flooding and high winds, as the state braces for these powerful atmospheric river storms.