LOS ANGELES, California – California has been hit by a relentless series of atmospheric rivers, leading to flooding and heavy snowfall this week. The Sierra Nevada has seen several feet of snow, while lower elevations have experienced months’ worth of rainfall in just a few days. Flash flood warnings have been issued in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with some areas experiencing road closures and vehicles stranded in floodwaters.
The wet weather has proven to be record-setting, eradicating the years-long drought that once plagued the state. Last year, 84.6 percent of California was facing drought, but that number has now dropped to zero, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The current rainfall is unprecedented, with Los Angeles downtown already recording 12.56 inches of rain this month, which is more than three times the February average of 3.48 inches.
The National Weather Service reported that this month has been the wettest in 26 years. The city is close to breaking the February rainfall record set in 1998, with another atmospheric river forecasted to hit early next week. The recent rainfall events have also broken records, such as the third-wettest two-day period on record in February.
The city could be in jeopardy of breaking more records as the 2023-2024 water year rainfall total stands at 17.79 inches, which is about 8 inches above the normal to date and more than 3.5 inches above the normal for the entire year. The Bay Area is also running above average for the year to date, accumulating 9.32 inches. Meanwhile, the Central Sierra Snow Lab at Donner Pass has recorded 211.42 inches of snow so far this season, and although it may seem like a good amount, the central and southern Sierra are actually running 15 to 20 percent behind average for water contained in the current snowpack due to the nature of atmospheric rivers.
Looking ahead, weather models indicate that the next atmospheric river will affect California beginning next Sunday or Monday, with the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center projecting above-average rainfall through March along the West Coast.