Storminess to continue in California, West this week, but a pattern change is in sight

A near-constant wet pattern has soaked California and the West for weeks, but the storm is finally about to ease. Meanwhile, meteorologists at AccuWeather are warning Californians and Westerners not to put away the rain gear just yet.

“The rainy weather is expected to continue across much of coastal and Northern California through Monday night as a series of storms continue to move across the state,” said AccuWeather meteorologist Kai Kerkow.

Beyond Monday, the storm’s path is expected to shift northward, bringing more rain and mountain snowfall to the Pacific Northwest. Ultimately, a large area of ​​high pressure will form in the west and help turn off most of the taps completely by mid-January.

More rain, mountain snowfall in California earlier this week

After only a brief break between Christmas and New Year’s, Golden State is in bad shape. AccuWeather forecasters say rain and snow in higher elevations will continue through Monday night.

“Heavy rainfall may occur at times across Central and Northern California through Monday night,” Kerko said. “This will create a risk of flooding in the mountains as well as in urban and poorly drained areas.”

Rainfall in excess of 1 inch will be common, and localized flooding will be common through Monday night, from the Central Coast to northern parts of the state, where 2-4 inches or more are expected.

To say that California has had its fill so far this rainy season is an understatement.

Although the period from October 1 to mid-November was dry, since October 14, the city of Los Angeles has received approximately 14 inches of rain through January 3 (343% of the historical average), while San Diego has received 232% of the average. Even areas that typically receive more rainfall during that period, including San Francisco, were recording above average (128% of average).

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Snow in high altitude areas has proven to be a boon for ski resorts but an inconvenience for travelers. According to Kerko, white things will continue to accumulate in the beginning of the week. “Several feet of fresh powder will fall in the Sierra Nevada mountains by Monday night,” he said. “This will have a significant impact on the passes, especially Interstate 80.”

The heaviest accumulations will be above 6,000 feet in the northern Sierra Nevada.

The focus of rain and snowfall will shift north by the middle of the week

The longest break from precipitation California has experienced since mid-December is expected to begin this weekend, according to AccuWeather forecasts.

“By mid-to-late week, the storm’s path will begin to shift northward, bringing a dry weather pattern to much of the state and a break in the wet weather,” Kerko said.

The change in pattern will be driven by a building ridge of high pressure which will be felt especially during the second half of the week. While parts of Northern California may have to deal with some rain and higher elevation snow on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Bay Area to the south will be completely dry.

Dry weather will not be tolerated in the Northwest, as parts of Washington and Oregon, inland northern parts of the Rockies, will have to contend with storms for a few more days.

Since the beginning of November, both Seattle and Portland have also been experiencing above average rainfall, with rain gauges reporting more days than average rainfall. Several atmospheric river events also caused historic and deadly flooding in parts of Western Washington in December.

Although rainfall this week is not expected to cause widespread flooding, localized ponding, small stream and coastal flooding may occur. Additionally, cold air arriving by midweek could also reduce snow levels, such that snow levels in some of the foothills of the Cascades and perhaps around Seattle could blow to 1,000 feet or more above sea level.

Expect several feet of snow, especially in the Washington Cascades, resulting in travel restrictions or road closures on US Highway 2 and Interstate 90. The Oregon Cascades will also see a foot or two of snow, which could make travel difficult across Willamette Pass.

Throughout the second week of January and beyond, the pattern may change so much that much of the Pacific Northwest may also enjoy prolonged dry weather.

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