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February 2024 California atmospheric rivers

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Further information: 2023–24 North American winter
February 2024 California atmospheric rivers
GOES-West satellite view of the bomb cyclone impacting California on February 4
DateFebruary 4–7, 2024
LocationCalifornia
CauseAtmospheric river associated with an Extratropical cyclone
Deaths9[1]
Property damage~3 billion[2]

In early February 2024, two atmospheric rivers brought extensive flooding, intense winds, and power outages to portions of California. The storms caused record-breaking rainfall totals to be observed in multiple areas, as well as the declaration of states of emergency in multiple counties in Southern California.[3][4] Wind gusts of hurricane force were observed in San Francisco, along with wind gusts reaching over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) in the Sierra Nevada.[5][6] Widespread landslides occurred as a result of the storms, as well as multiple rivers overflowing due to the excessive rainfall.[7] Stormchaser Reed Timmer stated that "Biblical flooding" was possible throughout California during the atmospheric river.[8]

Meteorological history

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The Weather Prediction Center's Excessive Rainfall Outlook on February 4
NOAA Automated Atmospheric River Detection Real-time Application to Satellite-Derived IWV Data on February 3

From February 1 to February 2, 2024, California experienced the impact of the first Pineapple Express storm caused by the atmospheric river, which subsequently traversed the United States and settled over the I-25 corridor in Colorado.[citation needed]

Another storm struck on February 4, with the National Weather Service categorizing it as "potentially life-threatening", and forcing Los Angeles into a state of emergency.[9] Seven additional counties declared a state of emergency: Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County.[10][11] The rain was expected to last for days, with some parts of California expected to receive record amounts of rain.[12]

Various news outlets projected that Los Angeles might witness an accumulation of rainfall equivalent to six months' worth between February 3 and February 5. Simultaneously, the Sierra Nevada mountains were anticipated to receive 1 to 3 feet (30 to 91 cm) of snow, while higher elevations, such as Mammoth Lakes, CA, could potentially experience over 4 feet (120 cm) of snow. The NASCAR exhibition race at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was moved forward one day to February 3 from the scheduled February 4 race in anticipation of the rainstorm. Additionally, portions of the San Bernardino Mountains' foothills were expected to receive substantial rainfall, with estimates ranging from 10 to 12 inches (250 to 300 mm).[9][12] One man was killed on February 4 after a tree struck him due to the winds.[13]

February 5

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Downtown Los Angeles received 4.1 inches (100 mm) of rain on February 4, 2024, marking it the wettest day since March 15, 2003. Several Malibu, California schools were closed due to inaccessibility because of severe weather causing road closures.[14] Power outages caused by the storms left approximately 850,000 people without power.[15][16] Fallen trees blocked roads and cut power lines in multiple locations.[15] Wind gusts up to 162 mph (260 km/h) occurred at various high elevation locations, including the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lagunitas Forest.[17][18] As of February 5, at least three people had died from falling trees.[19]

February 6

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Downtown Los Angeles had received 7.03 inches (179 mm) of rain in two days from February 4-5 making it the second wettest two-day span in the city's history. For reference, Downtown Los Angeles only averages 14.25 inches (362 mm) of rain in a normal rain year.[20] Heavy rainfall caused more than 300 landslides and severe flash flooding throughout the state.[21] San Diego received record rainfall for California at higher elevations causing floods and prompting road closures.[22][18] Two tornado warnings would be issued for portions of San Diego County by the National Weather Service due to a severe thunderstorm produced by the storm complex, although no damage would be caused.[23][24]

February 7

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NOAA satellite-based estimate of the storm’s average rainfall rates

Downtown Los Angeles had received 8.51 inches (216 mm) of rain from February 4-6 making it the second wettest three-day span.[25] Following 1.66 in (42 mm) of rain in Death Valley in 72 hours, California State Route 190 was closed and the park experienced a setback in the recovery from Hurricane Hilary.[26][27] Two tornadoes were confirmed to touch down in San Luis Obispo county.[28]

Impact

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Significant amounts of snow fell in the Sierra (2-4 feet) which brought the snowpack from 50-70% of average to 70-80% of average. Landslides and fallen trees due to the heavy rain and high wind gusts destroyed and damaged many homes and closed roads throughout California. Bel-Air had a peak 24-hour rainfall of 12.42 inches (315 mm) which equates to a 380-year return interval (0.3%).Los Angeles had been incorporating elements of a stormwater harvesting design to retain the rainwater. From February 4 to 7, the city captured 8.6 billion gallons of water, equivalent to the yearly needs of 106,000 homes.[29] Most of Southern California was 150%-300% of average from October 1 to February 7. Most places throughout Northern California were still 50%-110% of average after the storms.[30]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Childs, Jan Wesner; Breslin, Sean (February 7, 2024). "California Storm: At Least Nine Dead; Long Cleanup Ahead". Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3.22.24-MDD-request-for-early-Feb.-storms.pdf
  3. ^ "Southern California sees record-setting rain totals | abc7.com". abc7.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "California storm full coverage: State of emergency declared as atmospheric river brings 'potentially historic' flood threat". Yahoo News. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  5. ^ "Hurricane-force gusts topped 100 mph in Bay Area during rare storm". KRON4. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Wind Gusts Topped 100 MPH In Marins Coastal Mountains". San Rafael, CA Patch. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  7. ^ "'1-in-1,000 year rain' event: State of emergency due to floods, mudslides in California: Updates". USA TODAY. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Timmer, Reed (February 4, 2024). "CAT 5 - California Biblical Flooding possible Today". YouTube. California: @ReedTimmerWx. Archived from the original (YouTube video) on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Oberholtz, Chris (February 2, 2024). "Los Angeles, San Diego under State of Emergency as atmospheric river lashes Southern California". FOX Weather. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  10. ^ CityWatch (February 4, 2024). "Pineapple Express Storm Hits Los Angeles: State of Emergency Declared". www.citywatchla.com. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  11. ^ "Emergency declaration and urgent warnings as Southern California storm gains ferocity". Los Angeles Times. February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Jones, Judson (February 2, 2024). "Atmospheric River Could Bring 'Life-Threatening Flooding' to Southern California". The New York Times.
  13. ^ "'Catastrophic' flooding to hit California as bad weather continues". February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Mary Gilbert, Antoinette Radford and Eric Zerkel (February 5, 2024). "Malibu schools are closed due to weather-related road closures". CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Albeck-Ripka, Livia; Knight, Heather (February 5, 2024). "California Power Outages Affect More Than 850,000 Customers". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Over 500,000 without power in California". NBC News. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Mary Gilbert, Antoinette Radford and Eric Zerkel (February 5, 2024). "Ferocious wind gusts hit 162 mph in the Sierra Nevada mountains". CNN. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Speck, Emilee (February 5, 2024). "Atmospheric river drenches Los Angeles with record-setting rain, blasts Sierra with 160-mph winds". FOX Weather. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "Death toll at 3 as California storm brings heavy rain, flooding, mudslides". Los Angeles Times. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  20. ^ https://cw3e.ucsd.edu/summary-major-ca-winter-storm-4-6-feb-2024/
  21. ^ Cappucci, Matthew; Livingston, Ian (February 6, 2024). "After record rains, California storm shifts east. What's next?". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Staff • •, NBC 7 (February 6, 2024). "Heavy rain floods roads, prompts road closures for San Diego County". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved February 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "National Weather Service lifts tornado warning for San Diego County; no damage reported". San Diego Union-Tribune. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tornado Warning Issued For Parts Of San Diego County". Santee, CA Patch. February 6, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  25. ^ https://cw3e.ucsd.edu/summary-major-ca-winter-storm-4-6-feb-2024/
  26. ^ California rainstorms brought — and kept — a lake at Death Valley, NBC News, February 7, 2024
  27. ^ Death Valley’s recovery from Hilary delayed by new rain, Las Vegas Review Journal, February 8, 2024
  28. ^ Schlepp, Travis. "NWS confirms 2 tornadoes touched down on California Central Coast". KTLA.com. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  29. ^ Simon, Matt (February 19, 2024). "Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be". WIRED. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  30. ^ https://cw3e.ucsd.edu/summary-major-ca-winter-storm-4-6-feb-2024/
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