Northern California faces possible record-breaking rainfall from atmospheric river and another storm is coming
A powerful atmospheric river is unleashing torrential, flooding rainfall across Northern California and parts of the Pacific Northwest in the wake of a historically strong bomb cyclone — and another storm is on the way.
A rare level 4 of 4 high risk of flooding rainfall is in effect Thursday as the atmospheric river — still boosted by the diminishing bomb cyclone — points a firehose of moisture at the coast, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
“Life-threatening flooding across coastal areas of northwest California is expected due to the very strong and long duration atmospheric river currently impacting the region,” the center warned Thursday. “Dangerous flooding and debris flows are likely which will include rock and landslide activity.”
Widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches with isolated totals of more than 10 inches are possible across the region on Thursday alone. Combined with rainfall from Wednesday, a potentially record-breaking 16 inches or more of rainfall is possible through Thursday, especially in Northern California.
