Time does not let up in California. After a week of torrential rains and high intensity winds, the US state is preparing for a “relentless parade of cyclones” that will last until the middle of this week, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS, for its acronym in English).
“Two of the most energetic and wettest cyclone parades” are expected in the region. Forecasters are predicting heavy rain in central California. The second of these two episodes is expected for this Tuesday with slightly less abundant rainfall, which will impact places further south towards the southeast of the state. Heavy snowfall is also expected for tomorrow, although the intensity is expected to decrease ahead of Wednesday.
“The cumulative effect of successive torrential rains will lead to additional instances of flooding. This includes rapid water rises, mudslides, and the possibility of major river flooding,” the US weather service warns. The NWS also calls for extreme caution when traveling on roads. Expected heavy snowfall increases the chances of snow accumulation and avalanches.
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In addition, strong gusts of wind are expected. “Wind gusts are expected to extend towards the coast with the approaching system and could lead to the threat of fallen trees and run overs,” continue the specialists, who ask residents to check the state of the roads and the forecast before embarking on any journey in the next few hours.
Without a rest
Meteorologists attribute the force of the storm to two superimposed phenomena
Destruction is seen after a severe storm on the boardwalk in Capitola, California on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
New cyclones arrive in California, which has not yet been able to recover from the storms that hit the region last week. Some 424,000 California homes and businesses were still without power as of Sunday afternoon, state officials said at a news conference.
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At least 12 people have died from weather-related incidents in California in the last ten days, Governor Gavin Newsom said in his appearance, collected by Reuters. Among the victims was a small child who was crushed to death by a tree in the north of the state.
Meteorologists attribute the force of the storm to two overlapping phenomena: a huge air current of dense moisture from the ocean, called an atmospheric river; and an extensive hurricane-force low-pressure system known as a bomb cyclone.
Vehicles move quickly as snow falls on Highway 89 along the west shoreline of Lake Tahoe near Tahoma, California on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Despite this episode of heavy rainfall, wind and snow, the western United States remains in a drought that has lasted for two decades, he recalls. Reuters. Experts are not optimistic and say that the area would need several exceptionally rainy years in a row to replenish the aquifers and reservoirs.
