California has two more atmospheric rivers to deal with the threat of severe storms, but California’s end is in sight.
By Daniel Trotta
(Reuters) – California’s parade od atmospheric rivers may be coming to an end but at least two more rainstorms are expected to drench the waterlogged state beginning Saturday, forecasters stated.
Since Dec. 26, a series of atmospheric rivers, rarely seen in such a frequent succession, have ravaged the state, killing at least 19 and causing floods, power outages and evacuations.
Storms have caused half of the annual average rainfall to drop on the Central Valley agricultural area, and up to 15 feet (4.5m) of snow to fall in the mountains.
The state’s water resources department stated that the forecast was for rainfall of 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm more) in California’s north, and 1 to3 inches (2.5 to 7 cm) south.
It also stated that at least seven waterways were officially flooding.
According to the Weather Prediction Center at the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest storm, which is the eighth of the season, will begin to dump heavy rain on California starting Saturday morning.
The ninth and last atmospheric river in the series will make landfall Monday. It will only last for a few days.
The Salinas River, in northern California, flooded roads and farmland Friday. 24,000 people were advised to evacuate.
Officials in southern California will release water from Lake Cachuma on Saturday, because the lake is at capacity.
The drought has been remediated by the storms, but not completely.
David Roth, meteorologist at Weather Prediction Center, said that flooding and drought can occur simultaneously.
“A drought can only be canceled by prolonged periods of precipitation, even if there have been 30 inches of liquid in some areas.”
On Thursday, The U.S. Drought Monitor revised its assessment to move almost all of the state from extreme drought or exceptional drought. But, most of it remains in moderate to severe drought.
Roger Bales from the University of California is an environmental engineering professor.
According to Michael Reitzell, president and CEO of Ski California, excess snow has had both positive and negative effects on the ski industry. It can lead to a longer season, but also cause disruptions due to power outages, road closures, and delays at some resorts.
Reitzell, who represents 35 resorts in the industry association, said, “It’s been a bit difficult, but we will accept all of it.”
(Reporting from Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad Calif.; Editing done by Clarence Fernandez