A sequence of atmospheric rivers has been aimed toward California this week, bringing torrents of rain and excessive winds since 2023 started. Atmospheric rivers are flowing columns of water vapor that may dump excessive quantities of precipitation in a comparatively quick time. Plus, the storm that’s placing California this week (January 4-6, 2023) underwent what meteorologists name bombogenesis. That’s when a mid-latitude storm’s low strain falls by 24 millibars inside 24 hours. When that occurs, the storm quickly intensifies.
Our #GOESWest?? full-disc satellite reveals a robust storm present process bombogenesis off the northern CA Coast.
What’s a “Bomb Cyclone”? By definition, it’s a low strain system that experiences a fall in strain of 24 millibars in 24 hours. #CAwx https://t.co/zmYAPqXknp pic.twitter.com/IDnazirGPx
— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) January 4, 2023
California skilled an earlier onslaught of precipitation on New Yr’s Eve from an atmospheric river. And even when this present storm passes, the prolonged forecast for California nonetheless reveals elevated precipitation, because the atmospheric river will proceed to goal for the West Coast. As a matter of truth, the Nationwide Climate Service’s outlook for January 10-14 nonetheless has California 80-90% above regular for precipitation.
Hazardous Winds, Snow, and Rain Forecast to Proceed over the West Coast, Probably Exacerbating Flooding Threathttps://t.co/sCH1Wj5ZuT pic.twitter.com/mxFXdyMrk9
— NWS Local weather Prediction Heart (@NWSCPC) January 4, 2023
#AtmosphericRiver storm prepare persevering with to roll into the West Coast by means of subsequent week pic.twitter.com/wNbgbgOzzn
— Jay Cordeira (@jaycordeira) January 5, 2023
Bomb cyclone has spectacular power
As a result of the storm system is so sturdy, the Air Pressure sent five Hurricane Hunter planes to California to watch and monitor it. Marin County, north of San Francisco, had wind gusts as much as 85 miles per hour.
Spectacular wind exhibiting up in Marin. Gusts as much as 85 mph now (4:10-4:30)! #cawx pic.twitter.com/D2VSUN768s
— NWS Bay Space ? (@NWSBayArea) January 5, 2023
Impacts from the large storm
As of Thursday morning, January 5, the storm had claimed two lives in California. A redwood tree falling onto a house killed a two-year-old, and a 19-year-old lady hydroplaned on partially flooded roads, placing a utility pole.
Additionally, there have been many stories of flooding on roads on social media, and excessive winds closed some ski resorts within the Sierra Nevadas.
Numerous flooding for days now. And it isn’t simple to see whereas driving. Watch out on the market #LosAngeles #BombCyclone #PineappleExpress #LARain pic.twitter.com/UykXCuTWjz
— Chhaya Néné (@ChhayaNene) January 5, 2023
#flooding on #highway101 this morning ? #bayarea #sanfrancisco #rain #weather #atmosphericriver #morningcommute pic.twitter.com/FN8NHC75bW
— Liz Dzeng, MD, PhD, MPH (@LizDzeng) December 31, 2022
? Aptos – we’re experiencing coastal flooding alongside the coastal roads. Please keep away from the realm. pic.twitter.com/uVANMQY52M
— CHP Santa Cruz (@CHPscrz) January 5, 2023
BREAKING: Capitola Wharf was cut up in half when a piece of the wharf collapsed into the ocean. 30-foot waves, highly effective tidal surges, and gusty winds are battering the seashores proper now. Capitola Village is flooded.
(Video by Autumn Rose Purdy) #AtmosphericRiver pic.twitter.com/vTfqA8FEa9— Amy Larson (@AmyLarson25) January 5, 2023
TRAFFIC ALERT: UPDATE @Pacifica Proceed to keep away from N/B SR-1 previous Manor Dr. Landslide blocking #2 lane. @CHPSanFrancisco onscene. An replace can be posted. https://t.co/xcJOOkL6Kk pic.twitter.com/tfAWPS3Be4
— Pacifica Police (@PacificaPolice) January 5, 2023
Somewhat bit windy at Palisades Tahoe ski resort on Wednesday. (Credit score: Marucs Morgan – Palisades Tahoe) pic.twitter.com/Rlco7YLgBA
— KSBW Motion Information 8 (@ksbw) January 5, 2023
Assuaging drought?
So will all this rain and snow assist alleviate the drought in California? On January 3, Scooty Nickerson of the Bay Space’s Mercury Information said:
California’s Sierra is closing in on the 2nd-largest snowpack we’ve seen presently of 12 months within the final twenty years.
However, he mentioned, it’s too early to declare an finish to the drought, as a result of:
Final 12 months, we began 2022 with an analogous bounty – after which ended the snow season method, method, method under regular.
Whereas a few of the reservoirs are beginning to really feel the affect of the atmospheric river, it’s not impacting all of them. For instance, Lake Mead, will get its water from the Colorado River, which is to the east. By the best way, you’ll be able to monitor the water ranges in California’s reservoirs at its Department of Water Resources website.
22,400,000,000,000 gallons of water is a reasonably conservative approximation of what’s going to fall over the state of California over the subsequent 15 days. That is 22 Trillion , 400 billion gallons! #cawx Too unhealthy it cant all be caught and saved. pic.twitter.com/ZxeqvxBgS1
— Michael Snyder (@SeattleWXGuy) January 4, 2023
Bomb cyclone was not a shock
A minimum of there was a lot warning that the storm was coming. Climate forecasts confirmed satellite photos of the enormous swirl within the environment days upfront because it approached the coast. And buyers in California stocked up on the grocery shops upfront of the storm, emptying cabinets.
The altering of the guard: watch as #GOES18 takes over for #GOES17 on this #GOESWest water vapor loop. Huge storm for the primary day on the job! And a seamless transition. Nice job @NOAASatellites. pic.twitter.com/zyNkRM5335
— UW-Madison CIMSS (@UWCIMSS) January 4, 2023
The produce division on the grocery retailer proper now. Guess folks took the storm warnings significantly pic.twitter.com/YajpwcF3YV
— Zephyr (@CeciliaQuick) January 4, 2023
Backside line: A bomb cyclone hit California this week, bringing excessive winds plus heavy rains and snow. Extra rain is on the best way.
