Satellite images have been released of the two ‘Pineapple Express’ storms expected to unleash stormwater flooding across California this week.
The Golden State was ravaged by storms last year and residents are now preparing for this year’s series of downpours.
Several inches of rain and mountain snow are expected to be dumped on the highest elevations in the state this week due to two atmospheric rivers targeting California.
Atmospheric rivers are defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as “narrow regions of the atmosphere that transport much of the moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes.”
The weather phenomenon is known as ‘Pineapple Express’ because it brings warm subtropical moisture across the Pacific Ocean from near Hawaii.
Satellite images have been released of the two ‘Pineapple Express’ storms expected to unleash stormwater flooding across California this week
Atmospheric rivers are defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as “narrow regions of the atmosphere that transport much of the moisture from the tropics to northern latitudes.”
The weather phenomenon is known as ‘Pineapple Express’ because it brings warm subtropical moisture across the Pacific Ocean from near Hawaii
The two Pineapple Express storms are expected to begin Wednesday and last for a week, unleashing rainstorms of up to four inches on the state. along with high winds exceeding 30 miles per hour.
The showers have already started in Northern California and are expected to migrate south overnight as the first storm takes over the state.
Although the drastic weather conditions are expected to subside Friday and Saturday, the second of two forecast storms will drench California again when it hits Sunday.
“Storm No. 1 will be moderate to strong. Nothing earth-shattering. It won’t be a catastrophe, but it could cause fairly widespread flooding in cities and small streams in Northern California,” said climate scientist UCLA. Daniel Zwaan said.
“Heavier rainfall and stronger winds with Storm No. 1 will likely move north from the Monterey Bay area. So this will be a storm that will hit the Bay Area (San Francisco) during the evening drive.”
The coming storms will “impact all major population centers in California,” Swain said.
The Golden State was ravaged by storms last year and residents are now preparing for this year’s series of downpours
Several inches of rain and mountain snow are expected to be dumped on the highest elevations in the state this week due to two atmospheric rivers targeting California.
The two Pineapple Express storms are expected to begin Wednesday and last for a week, unleashing rain showers of up to four inches across the state, along with strong winds of more than 30 miles per hour.
However, Swain explained that the second storm will be “a different story,” adding that the stormy weather will be accompanied by colder air as it starts to pick up on Sunday.
“With Sunday’s and Monday’s storms in the Sierra Nevada, there could even be some more snow,” he said.
The second storm is forecast to drench Southern California “very heavy rainfall,” Swain said, bringing even stronger winds, up to 70 miles per hour, to the northern part of the state.
Swain expressed concerns about the “potentially significant flood risk” from the second Pineapple Express storm.
State officials have warned that power outages and flooding could accompany the impending storms.
“The state is working around the clock with our local partners to deploy lifesaving equipment and resources across the state,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement.
“With more storms on the horizon, we will continue to mobilize all available resources to protect Californians.”
The National Weather Service currently has eight flood warnings issued through Thursday due to “excessive” rainfall in some parts of the state.
‘There will be an increased risk of rocks and landslides along roads. Creeks and streams can overflow their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas,” the warning said.
Showers have already started in Northern California and are expected to move south overnight as the first storm takes over the state
Although the drastic weather conditions are expected to subside Friday and Saturday, the second of two forecast storms will drench California again when it hits Sunday.
In March last year, a Pineapple Express flooded California with 12 inches of rain, resulting in 13 deaths and widespread destruction.
The expected storm comes just a week after historic flooding ravaged San Diego, forcing residents to flee their homes amid rising waters.
Clean-up operations were still underway after the city declared a state of emergency amid massive rainfall that was almost unprecedented in the coastal community.
At least a hundred homes were damaged or destroyed after the city saw more rain in a few days than it normally receives in the entire winter months.
There are also fears of a repeat of evacuations that took place in parts of the state during a massive storm in December. The heavy rainfall caused huge waves that caused major damage in areas including Oxnard, Rio Del Mar and Ventura.