Millions of Californians already hammered by snowfall are about to get hit with a new storm starting Thursday that could cause dangerous flooding.
"An atmospheric river will bring anomalous moisture to California Thursday and Friday. The combination of heavy precipitation and rapid snow melt below 5,000 feet will result in flooding," the Weather Prediction Center said, adding that "numerous" floods are likely for millions.
"Rain will fall on snow cover, potentially making the flood situation even worse as the snow melts and the rain accumulates," CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said. Ferocious winds: More than 15 million people across central and Northern California, northern Nevada and southwestern Idaho are under high wind alerts. Wind gusts could reach up to 55 mph across lower elevations and up to 70 mph across peaks and mountains. Strong winds could knock down power lines and trees -- exacerbating thousands of existing power outages from previous storms that dumped heavy snow, particularly in higher elevations.
Many of the areas preparing for Thursday's storm have not had a chance to recover from the multiple rounds of fierce snow that buried some neighborhoods and made roads inaccessible as residents ran low on essential supplies. Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of moisture in the atmosphere that carry warm air and water vapor from the tropics.
In the Big Sur area, officials urged residents to have enough food and other essentials for at least two weeks. The Big Sur area, a roughly 90-mile stretch of California's central coast, is one of the area's renowned tourist attractions with rugged cliffs, mountains and hidden beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
High school basketball: Regional semifinal results and state championship scheduleHigh school basketball: Southern California and Northern California regional results and state championship schedule.
Les mer »
California faces new cycle of storms with escalating flood dangerA major atmospheric river is set to slam into the state starting Thursday, with heavy rain and high snow levels.
Les mer »
New storm system expected to spare Southern California while drenching the northAuthorities urged calm as mountain communities anticipating a wet weekend worry that bad conditions could get worse.
Les mer »
New storm could bring more peril to California rivers already hit by deadly floodingAs yet another atmospheric river barrels toward California, residents brace for the threat of engorged rivers and overtopped reservoirs.
Les mer »
New atmospheric river storm barrels toward CaliforniaCalifornia is bracing for the arrival of an atmospheric river that forecasters warn will bring heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and the threat of flooding even as the state is still digging out from earlier storms
Les mer »
New atmospheric river storm barrels toward CaliforniaCalifornia is bracing for the arrival of an atmospheric river that forecasters warn will bring heavy rain, strong winds, thunderstorms and the threat of flooding even as the state is still digging out from earlier storms
Les mer »