Meteorologists: From Storms to ‘Hammer’ Flooding Conditions
Another temperate atmospheric river is poised to drop several inches (6 inches (15 cm) or more in some areas) of rain into California’s already wet landscape. The peak of the event is expected on Tuesday, March 14th, 2023 and is expected to continue until Wednesday, March 15th.
The National Weather Service (NWS) provided a more dire situation predict Monday night (March 13th):
The environment is highly favorable to prolonged rainfall enhanced by topography along the central and southern coastlines and the Sierra foothills. The majority of global guidance and high-resolution guidance bring 3 to 6 inches or more of rain to this portion of the state, an area that still retains high-flow flows from previous not-so-distant atmospheric river events. Some have also occurred in
To make matters worse, the NWS said the storm would melt some. record amount of snow Cover Sierra:
Higher dew points are expected to penetrate the region, setting the stage for melting snowpacks, which could be facilitated by heavy rainfall, thus increasing the threat of rapid runoff and the regional extent of flooding.
The NWS expects the latest atmospheric river event to continue until Wednesday, March 15th. Excessive rains will move east across the United States and could also be a problem in parts of Arizona.
Meteorologists, on the other hand, debate systems for intensity ranking of rivers in the atmosphere, as they do for hurricanes. They say they hope the ranking will help keep people aware and safe.
Foothills and internal flooding are expected
As of midnight on March 13, some parts of California were under mandatory evacuation orders in anticipation of the upcoming storm. FEMA Warn residents.Meanwhile, 40 of California’s 58 counties already have emergency.
An atmospheric river storm over the weekend caused widespread damage. Damage included levee washout, minor tornadoes, large and widespread flooding, and the Sacramento Bee. reportThe paper describes the expected storm impact around the capital and throughout the northern half of the state.
But virtually all of Northern California’s interior is under flood watch by the Bureau of Meteorology due to the influx of atmospheric rivers this week. Parts of the Sacramento Valley could get up to 3 inches of rain Monday night through Tuesday night, and parts of the foothills could get up to 7 inches of rain.
of California Nevada River Forecast Center shows that 16 rivers and streams will exceed flood levels as of 12:00 AM UTC 07:00 on March 14th. Most are in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. A further 34 waterways (stretching from the Oregon border to Mexico) are expected to pass the monitoring stage.
Increased snow cover could mean weeks of flooding
climate scientist Daniel Swain Recent storms that hit California have increased the amount of snow in the Sierra.
This map plot showing the change in SWE over the last 24 hours shows that below about 4.5kft elevation there is a lot of thaw and SWE loss, but above that level there is a large *increase*. It tells a story. A classic “warm” storm dipole pattern! #CAwx #CA water [3/n] pic.twitter.com/LTEjrC6cUD
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) March 12, 2023
The added depth means that the state’s mountains have more snow than ever recorded.
… a quick thread about snow. As of this weekend, the Southern Sierra looks set to have the most snow ever recorded (as measured by Snow Wet Weight (SWE)). Not just calendar dates, *any* date! #CAwx #CA water [1/n] pic.twitter.com/FYmFXqs2yL
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) March 12, 2023
Swain warns that the latest storm, despite its warmth, will likely add to those totals.
Floods amplified by snowmelt have affected several smaller Southern Sierra watersheds, but so far have been less of a problem elsewhere. Even with additional warm storms this week, the net SWE is expected to *further increase* despite the lower melting. #CAwx #CA water [4/n]
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) March 12, 2023
And that could lead to severe flooding over the next few weeks, likely starting at the end of March.
However, the focus here is on the potential for larger/mainstream rivers to experience more severe flooding problems in the medium term (i.e. in the coming weeks). The South/Central Sierra Basin has truly enormous amounts of SWE… #CAwx #CA water [6/n]
— Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) March 12, 2023
the storm is already deadly
Atmospheric rivers hit California and the West Coast on Friday (March 10, 2023), causing nearly statewidedangerous rain eventAlready flooded from weeks of rain and snowfall, California was hit with floods over the weekend, causing rivers to flow over their levees into low-lying areas. At least two of her deaths were attributed to the flooding. And some communities became orphaned.
Forecast updates and damage reports from every corner of the state filled with social media.
what i’ve seen so far
Medium risk is valid for the prospect of excess rainfall on the third day. detail: https://t.co/FQU5sbmsxo pic.twitter.com/R1LR4xuLEw
— NWS Weather Forecast Center (@NWSWPC) March 12, 2023
Gallery: Flooding in California snows mountains and submerges communities.https://t.co/ud5hUKuhvH
— FOX 28 Columbus (@fox28columbus) March 12, 2023
Catastrophic Flash Floods in California: Springville and Kerneville Emergency… https://t.co/Unzgvwa7mZ via @Youtube
— Richard Western (@rpwestern1) March 12, 2023
Floods caused by new storm in California, evacuation due to flooding of Pajaro River
clock!https://t.co/UK16IpkQ0j
— Wion (@WIONews) March 12, 2023
Atmospheric rivers have arrived in the west.
This system brings dangerous floods and heavy snowfalls. pic.twitter.com/pLfHozHzRc
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) March 10, 2023
Last chance to get the lunar calendar! There is only a little left. Now on sale.
Urban areas and highways are also affected by atmospheric rivers
Dramatic Video: California’s Urban Search and Rescue Squad conducts a rescue operation on a boat.
A levee near Pajaro, Calif., breached early Saturday morning. #CAwx #flood pic.twitter.com/75mZ3lO5K4
— Weather Nation (@WeatherNation) March 12, 2023
Let’s take a closer look at Gilroy’s 101. The south bound lane is closed.
NB lane closest in video, SB opposite.(Video from 10:15 just before closing.)
Latest information: https://t.co/T0cs8aAhi7 pic.twitter.com/6qUlCX9KTs— Ian Kal (@NBCian) March 10, 2023
Castro Valley Road was closed near Gavilan College in Gilroy. (Video starts at 9:45 am) #CAwx #CA Flood pic.twitter.com/2oSIn6ssdX
— Ian Kal (@NBCian) March 10, 2023
Heavy rain flooded Highway 12 and other streets in Santa Rosa, California. Floods and landslides washed away roads south of Santa Rosa in the Bay Area. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/mskfbwwQjI
— Accuweather (@accuweather) March 10, 2023
Central Sierra Nevada foothills hit hard
Latest Atmospheric River Effects in Carnville, California pic.twitter.com/G1XB1mGvUA
— Brittney Beck (@brittney_beck) March 10, 2023
Video: A devastating flash flood in Springville, CA. PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situations) Flash Flood Emergency ? Valid locally. More rain on the way. #Caucus @Jim Cantore @weather channel @WeatherNation @foxweather VIDEO NOT MINE CREDIT Brian Duke on FB pic.twitter.com/FEoG9otRgW
— Michael Gibson (@Geekflanka) March 10, 2023
crazy #flood of #Springville #California #atmosphere_river after heavy #rain and thaw. Dozens of homes have been flooded, one has collapsed and many more are in danger of collapsing. @jpetramala pic.twitter.com/4IAUf17QjK
—WxChasing- Brandon Clement (@bclemms) March 10, 2023
In Sequoia National Park
Video taken this morning in the town of Three Rivers, a few miles from Sequoia National Park. Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are off limits. The roads nearby are dangerous and impassable. Please refrain from traveling to the affected areas! pic.twitter.com/zAszKozdhj
— Sequoia & Kings Shin (@SequoiaKingsNPS) March 10, 2023
Rain-flooded coastal areas
This is not good. Part of Soquel’s community in Santa Cruz County was cut off as Bates Creek washed down North He Main Street in a storm. #flood pic.twitter.com/zSUbPEUkXx
— Curtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) March 10, 2023
In Santa Cruz County, the San Lorenzo River crosses its banks
The San Lorenzo River looked pretty wild this morning just after it peaked at 6am at Felton (20.35 feet) pic.twitter.com/WnLfX1GlJ8
— Curtis Alexander (@kurtisalexander) March 10, 2023
Bottom line: Another atmospheric river hits California on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, bringing dangerous amounts of rainfall and additional flooding. See social media posts documenting the event here.
Dave Adarian
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About the author:
Award-winning reporter and editor Dave Adrian’s love of space lies on the historic summit of Mount Hamilton, California, far above Monterey Bay, east of San Jose, in the foggy Diablos Mountains east of San Jose. It started during a summer school trip to Lick Observatory. End of the endless blue Pacific Ocean. The excursion continues today. Dave continues his nocturnal adventures, perched in front of a telescope eyepiece in the dark, or as a naked eye observer chasing stars as they wander through the night fields. A lifelong resident of Tulare County, California – the Great Sun where he’s an agricultural paradise where the Joaquin Valley and Sierra Nevada meet in endless grassy hills – Dave is larger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined I grew up in the wilderness. One that spends the night under pitch-black skies above some of the highest peaks and most roadless regions of North America. I learned. He has worked as a reporter and editor for many online and offline news publications so far in his nearly 30-year career. His most literary hope is to share his passion for astronomy and all things related to space with those who want to join the adventure and explore the past, present and future of the universe.