Potential Soaking Storms Prompt Flood Watches in Southern California

Drought in the greater part of western and central Washington and also northern Oregon has ended as storms hit the Pacific Northwest over the last several months. 

(Photo : Getty Images)

Extreme Drought in California

Despite the fact that most of California has been suffering from a long-term drought, the state received much-needed rain in December, according to Accuweather.

Storms this month have dumped yards of snow on the Sierra Nevada's central region. More than 16 feet of snow has fallen in the Donner Summit region of Lake Tahoe, California this month, setting a new December record for the area. 

The drought in most of western and central Washington and northern Oregon has been ended by many storms. As a result,  there will be plenty of water in the rivers and reservoirs of the area when spring comes. 

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 80% of California, including Los Angeles County, is now experiencing severe drought, a decrease from the 83 percent recorded at the beginning of November.

Dec. 14 to Dec. 21 saw a significant decrease in the proportion of the state under extreme drought, the most severe categorization of drought, from 28.27 percent to 23.11 percent.

According to the weekly report, the severity of the drought in parts of San Diego County further south is moderate.

It doesn't matter how severe the drought is classified since the state still needs a lot more rain, and AccuWeather analysts believe that more rain is on the way.

According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jessica Storm, a powerful storm is delivering additional rain to the Southwest this week, hurting major areas such as Los Angeles and San Diego. 

Also Read: Torrential Rain in Southeast Could Trigger Severe Weather in Florida Before Christmas

Areas to Experience Heavy Rainfall 

While most of California is enduring an acute drought, Los Angeles has recorded only 70% of its usual rainfall for 2021 as the year draws to a conclusion. 

In Los Angeles, it hasn't rained since Sunday, but that is about to change. Heavy rain is forecast locally in areas where wildfires impacted this past summer and autumn, as well, to douse not just Los Angeles but San Diego, as well.

Any burn scar sites where significant rain falls in a short period of time will be at danger of flash floods and debris flows.

Ahead of the rain, those who live in recently burned regions should prepare a plan and be ready to flee if necessary. Cities including San Diego, Anaheim, Riverside, Newport Beach, and Palm Springs are now under a flood warning.

Snow is more likely to fall in the mountains since the air is cooler. Parts of Interstate 5 may get snow, although the heaviest precipitation should fall above elevations of 4,500 feet.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Possible Snow in Arizona

There is a possibility of 1-2 feet of snow at the higher peaks. As a result, the snowfall will continue to build, which, when it melts in the spring, will raise the low reservoir levels. Snow, on the other hand, will make mountain and pass travel problematic.

Due to a weather system that is moving in from the west, rain will begin to fall in many states by Friday Flagstaff, Arizona, and all the way up to Salt Lake City, Utah, should expect snowfall.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski predicts the same storm will bring snow and traffic problems to a 2,700-mile swath stretching from the mountains of southern California and northern Arizona to the Great Lakes and eastern Canada during the New Year's weekend.

Related Article: Storm Watch: Two Systems May Develop Into a Tropical Depression Within the Week

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