Weather experts said this weekend’s atmospheric river and associated rainfall are difficult to predict due to the “finicky nature” of the system that’s driving the storm.
The tropical system will bring rain, wind and thunderstorms into Southern California, with the heaviest rainfall expected Friday and Saturday, and decreasing on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Flood Watch
On Thursday, the weather service issued a 24-hour Flood Watch beginning at 4 a.m. on Nov. 15 for parts of San Bernardino County, including Mitchell Caverns, Daggett, Barstow, Needles, Yucca Valley, Baker, Twentynine Palms and Morongo Valley.
An additional Flood Watch was issued from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 15 for Joshua Tree National Park.
Residents are encouraged to pick up sandbags in advance of the expected rain this week. Sand and sandbags are available on a first come, first served basis at San Bernardino County Fire stations. For more information, visit sbcfire.org/sandbags.
Rain and snow
Estimated rainfall totals during the three-day storm include up to 2 inches in the High Desert, 4 inches on the coast and valleys, and 6 inches in the mountains.
In the Victor Valley, most of the rain will be toward the south and along the mountain slopes.
Snow levels will be near the 9,500-foot level, but could drop, weather experts stated.
Caltrans warned of potential debris flows, mudslides and falling rocks throughout burn scars in the local mountains, including along State Routes 330, 138 and 2.
Areas affected in January’s fires, which included the Palisades, Eaton, Sunset, Kenneth and Hurst burn scars, are under evacuation warning beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday through 11 a.m. Sunday, Los Angeles Fire Department officials stated.
Cal Fire suggests that during the storm, drivers should:
More rain, colder weather
During the storm, high temperatures in the High Desert and Inland Empire will range from the low 60s to mid-50s.
A second storm system is expected on Monday and Tuesday, with more rain and windy conditions, and a major drop in temperatures.
California weather radar
California severe weather watches and warnings
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Finicky-natured atmospheric river bringing rain, thunderstorms to Southern California
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
