Los Angeles, California – A powerful series of atmospheric rivers is placing nearly the entire state of California under Flood Watches, raising concerns for flooding, debris flows, and dangerous travel conditions from late Tuesday through the latter half of the week.
According to the National Weather Service, prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected across Northern, Central, and Southern California, with impacts ranging from urban street flooding to rapid rises on rivers, creeks, and streams. Flood Watches are already in effect or have been issued for coastal communities, inland valleys, deserts, foothills, and major metro areas including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, San Francisco Bay Area counties, and much of the Sierra Nevada.
In Northern California, flood concerns continue through Monday in Mendocino, Lake, Trinity, and North Bay counties as runoff persists despite diminishing rainfall. Farther south, Central California faces an extended flood threat from Tuesday afternoon through Friday, including the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, Sierra foothills, Yosemite region, and Kern River Basin.
Southern California is expected to see the strongest impacts from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. Forecast rainfall rates of up to one inch per hour could trigger flash flooding, especially in burn scar areas, mountain slopes, and poor drainage zones across Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego counties. Snow levels remaining above 8,000 feet will increase runoff and debris flow risk in mountain communities.
Residents are urged to avoid flooded roadways, monitor local alerts, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions. Flood Watches remain in effect across much of California, with Flood Warnings likely as the atmospheric river pattern persists through mid to late week.
