'This is a very powerful storm system': California braces for another winter storm

Record ID: 1712569

  • Title: 'This is a very powerful storm system': California braces for another winter storm
  • Date: 24th February 2023
  • Summary: OXNARD, CALIFORNIA (FEBRUARY 24, 2023) (REUTERS) RADAR MONITOR DISPLAYING WEATHER PATTERNS
  • Embargoed: 10th March 2023 19:43
  • Keywords: BLIZZARD CALIFORNIA STORM WEATHER
  • Location: OXNARD + VENTURA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • City: OXNARD + VENTURA, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Environment,North America,Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVA004290524022023RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Even before the latest storm in California, much of the state has experienced an unusually rainy, chilly winter.
    In Los Angeles County on Friday (February 24), a blizzard warning was issued for the San Gabriel Mountains north of the city, where 2 to 5 feet (60 to 152 cm) of snow could fall above an elevation of 4,500 feet (1,370 meters), the weather service said. Seven feet (2.1 meters) of snow could accumulate in some spots with winds gusting up to 60 miles (96 km) per hour.
    “When we start issuing a blizzard warning, one of the first we've issued in decades. That's the unusual nature of this event where just a lot of precipitation in the mountains and also closer to the ocean. It's not going to be a record breaking amount of rain but just a strong storm overall for the month of February. But the biggest difference is just feet of snow expected in the mountains. And that's going to really help the snowpack levels and eventually the drinking water and reservoir storage,” said Eric Boldt, WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST of the Oxnard National Weather Service office.
    Heavy rain will inundate many parts of California through Saturday, the weather service said. Two to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm) are forecast for Los Angeles and San Bernardino, raising the risk of flash flooding. Temperatures could drop into the low 40s Fahrenheit.
    “We have all this moisture coming in with this low pressure system dropping down the California coast that's providing all this precipitation. We're expecting it over the next 24 to 48 hours. A lot of heavy rain, a lot of intense downpours, even some lightning at times with small hail. And then a lot of that is going to convert to snow as you get up an elevation above about 4000 feet,” Boldt told Reuters.
    More than 120,000 California homes and businesses, mostly in the northern part of the state, were without power on Friday, according to Poweroutage.us
    Boldt recommends travelers should be extremely cautious as rough weather could present road hazards. Boldt recommends being aware of the forecast periodically and altering travel plans if possible.
    “The next 24-hours are critical if they can change their travel plans because a lot of highways are closing, snow in the mountains could be devastating for people who get caught, and whiteout conditions are very dangerous,” he said.
    (Production: Jorge Garcia and Sandra Stojanovic)
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