California Floods/Wind Much Worse Than The Usual Winter Storms Out There

Satellite photo this morning shows the massive 
storm plowing into California. Severe flooding 
and wind damage is likely out of this one, 

 As of this morning, California was just starting to endure perhaps the worst storm in years.

Practically the entire state is under the gun for either life-threatening flooding and mudslides, very damaging winds, and in the mountains, feet of snow. 

Winter storms and atmospheric rivers regularly smack into California, causing flooding, mudslides, wind damage and mountain blizzards. 

Most of the state is receiving heavy rain from this, but the worst of the downpours will probably hit southern California. 

"All systems are go for one of the most dramatic weather days in recent memory," the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles wrote in their Sunday morning forecast discussion. 

 NOAA's Weather Prediction Center has put large parts of southern California, including all of the Los Angeles basin and pretty much all the nearby mountains are under a high risk of flash floods.

That's a rare designation that only happens a handful of times a year anywhere in the nation. A high risk of flash floods designation is typically issued on only about 4 percent of the days out of the year. But high risk days yield 39 percent of all annual flood deaths and 83 percent of all annual flood damage in the U.S.

An example: Vermont was under a high risk flood designation this past July 10 and look what happened.

Lower elevations around Los Angeles were expecting three to six inches of rain with six to 12 inches in the foothills and mountains. 

This is way more than enough to trigger mud and rock slides and debris flows, especially near areas that had wildfires. Santa Barbara County is expected to get some of the heaviest rain, and several neighborhoods there were evacuated ahead of the storm because of the dangerous risk of debris flows.

The evacuations include parts of the ritzy small town of Montecito, where a 2018 mudslide killed 23 people and destroyed at least 100 homes. 

Although flooding is possible in central and northern California, the bigger risk there is high winds. Officials were anticipating many power outages, downed trees and some structural damage as winds gust over 60 mph. Stronger winds were forecast near the coast.

The first-ever Hurricane Force Wind Warning has been issued for the California coastal waters near Big Sur. 

The National Weather Service office in Sacramento had this forecast and advice for people in the Sierra Nevada range:

"For the Sierra, snow accumulations of 2 to 4 feet are expected, with up to 6 feet at the higher mountain peaks. Southerly winds gusting as high as 65 mph will be possible......Heavy mountain snow and strong, gusty winds are expected to bring difficult to impossible mountain travel with snow-covered roads, chain controls, road closures and whiteout conditions at times."

Considering the strength of the storm and the large population its hitting, I  have a feeling this storm will end up being yet another storm that causes at least $1 billion in damage. 

 By the way, longer range forecasts so far have this storm falling apart well before reaching Vermont. It might eventually produce clouds and perhaps a little light rain or snow next weekend. 

Of course, I'll  have more on this California storm as it develops.