California Braces for Major Pacific Storm; Central U.S. Faces Severe Weather Threat
California is grappling with the initial effects of a potent Pacific storm, triggering road closures and evacuation warnings as authorities prepare for potential mudslides and debris flows. Simultaneously, the central United States is bracing for what could be the most significant severe weather outbreak of the year, as the same storm system migrates eastward.
Light rain commenced in California on Wednesday afternoon, serving as a prelude to the more intense weather expected later in the day and overnight. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles issued a midday forecast update, emphasizing that the "main show" was still to come. A fast-moving cold front is predicted to sweep through the region overnight, with the bulk of the steady rain expected to dissipate by 8 a.m. PDT Thursday, or possibly even earlier.
However, the impact of this storm extends far beyond California’s borders. The potent weather system is projected to pose a significant risk of dangerous weather across nearly the entire central U.S. later this week, potentially culminating in a severe weather outbreak of unprecedented magnitude for the year, according to AccuWeather.
Before unleashing its power on the central U.S., the storm is forecast to dump substantial amounts of snow, potentially measured in feet, along the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Torrential rain is also anticipated in major California cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. This follows a smaller storm system that traversed the state on Tuesday.
The incoming rainfall poses a heightened risk of flooding, mudslides, and debris flows, particularly in areas previously scarred by wildfires. The already saturated ground and denuded landscapes make these regions particularly vulnerable to the destructive forces of heavy precipitation.
In response to the escalating threat, the Los Angeles Fire Department has issued evacuation warnings and orders for residents residing in areas ravaged by the Palisades, Sunset, and Hurst wildfires. Over two dozen neighborhoods in Malibu have also been placed under evacuation warnings.
"Residents should prepare to evacuate now due to the significant risk of flash flooding, debris flows and mudslides," the city’s office of public safety warned in a statement on social media. "These hazards pose a serious threat to life and property."
In addition to evacuation advisories, officials have implemented closures on several major roadways, including a section of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Las Flores Canyon Road, and Malibu Canyon Road, to ensure public safety and prevent vehicles from becoming stranded in hazardous conditions.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health has issued an advisory urging beachgoers to avoid entering the water due to potentially elevated bacteria levels. The advisory states that heavy rain from the incoming storm could carry bacteria, chemicals, debris, and other contaminants into public waterways.
"Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill," the health department cautioned, emphasizing that areas near storm drains, creeks, and rivers are at the highest risk of contamination. The ocean water quality advisory is scheduled to remain in effect until at least 4 p.m. on Friday.
The Sierra Nevada is expected to receive between 1 to 3 feet of snow this week, significantly increasing the risk of avalanches and rendering travel at high elevations hazardous. The National Weather Service warns of "heavy snow and powerful wind gusts of 40-70 mph below many major passes," creating "dangerous to potentially impossible travel conditions across the Sierra Nevada and northern California higher terrain this afternoon into Thursday."
AccuWeather has cautioned that blizzard conditions are possible in the Sierra Nevada due to the combination of heavy snowfall and high winds. The storm system heading eastward this week may also bring blizzard conditions to the high Plains region.
While California grapples with rain and snow, other parts of the country are facing a different set of challenges. Persistent dry, warm, and windy conditions are promoting critical fire weather conditions across the southern high Plains on Wednesday and throughout the remainder of the week. Red flag warnings are in effect in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, indicating that conditions are conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires.
The most dangerous conditions are anticipated in western Texas, where the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted an "extreme" risk for wildfires.
A low-pressure system will move over the southern Plains on Wednesday, potentially triggering severe thunderstorms in northeast Texas, Oklahoma, western Arkansas, and Louisiana. These storms could bring large hail and wind damage into Thursday, according to the weather service.
These storms are merely a precursor to the major impacts forecast for the central U.S. on Friday and into the weekend, as the storm system that is currently impacting California makes its way across the country.
The colossal storm is predicted to put over 100 million people at risk of severe weather, ranging from blizzard conditions in the northern Plains to tornadoes and wildfires in the South. AccuWeather has warned that it has the potential to be "the most significant severe weather outbreak of the year" thus far. The combination of diverse weather hazards poses a significant challenge for emergency management agencies and requires widespread public awareness and preparedness. The potential for widespread disruption and damage is high, emphasizing the need for vigilance and caution.
