February 2024 California atmospheric rivers

Last updated

February 2024 California atmospheric rivers
February 4th Atmospheric River.png
GOES-West satellite view of the bomb cyclone impacting California on February 4
DateFebruary 4–7, 2024
Location California
Cause Atmospheric 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]

Contents

Meteorological history

The Weather Prediction Center's Excessive Rainfall Outlook on February 4 WPC Excessive Rainfall Outlook for California on February 4, 2024.jpg
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 NOAA California Atmospheric River.png
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

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

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

NOAA satellite-based estimate of the storm's average rainfall rates 2024 Southern California floods.jpg
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. [20] 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. [25] [26] Two tornadoes were confirmed to touch down in San Luis Obispo county. [27]

Impact

Significant amounts of snow fell in the Sierra (2–4 feet) which brought the snowpack from 50 to 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. [28] 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. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pineapple Express</span> Meteorological phenomenon

Pineapple Express is a specific recurring atmospheric river both in the waters immediately northeast of the Hawaiian Islands and extending northeast to any location along the Pacific coast of North America. It is a non-technical term and a meteorological phenomenon. It is characterized by a strong and persistent large-scale flow of warm moist air, and the associated heavy precipitation. A Pineapple Express is an example of an atmospheric river, which is a more general term for such relatively narrow corridors of enhanced water vapor transport at mid-latitudes around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Diana</span> Category 2 Atlantic and Pacific hurricane in 1990

Hurricane Diana was a deadly tropical cyclone which made landfall in Mexico in August 1990. The fourth named storm and second hurricane of the season, Diana developed from a tropical wave in the southwestern Caribbean on August 4. Forming as a tropical depression, the system brushed Honduras before intensifying into a tropical storm the following day. Continuing to gradually strengthen, Diana made its first landfall in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula as a strong tropical storm late on August 5. The cyclone weakened slightly due to land interaction, before emerging into the Bay of Campeche on August 6. Once over water, warm sea surface temperatures allowed Diana to quickly become a hurricane and later peak as a Category 2 on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane scale on August 7. Shortly thereafter, the storm made landfall near Tampico, Tamaulipas, with winds of 100 mph (160 km/h). Rapid weakening ensued once the storm moved over the high terrain of Mexico, with Diana diminishing to a tropical depression roughly 24 hours after moving onshore. The cyclone later emerged into the Gulf of California on August 9 shortly before dissipating. The remnant disturbance was monitored until losing its identity over Arizona on August 14.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Kathleen</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1976

Hurricane Kathleen was a Category 1 Pacific hurricane that had a destructive impact in California. On September 7, 1976, a tropical depression formed; two days later it accelerated north towards the Baja California Peninsula. Kathleen brushed the Pacific coast of the peninsula as a hurricane on September 9 and made landfall as a fast-moving tropical storm the next day. With its circulation intact and still a tropical storm, Kathleen headed north into the United States and affected California and Arizona. Kathleen finally dissipated late on September 11.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Doria</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 1971

Tropical Storm Doria was the costliest tropical cyclone in the 1971 Atlantic hurricane season. The fifth tropical storm of the season, Doria developed from a tropical wave on August 20 to the east of the Lesser Antilles, and after five days without development it attained tropical storm status to the east of Florida. Doria turned to the north, and reached peak winds of 65 mph (105 km/h) as it was making landfall near Morehead City, North Carolina. It turned to the northeast, and moved through the Mid-Atlantic and New England as a tropical storm before becoming an extratropical storm over Maine on August 29.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Climate of California</span>

The climate of California varies widely from hot desert to alpine tundra, depending on latitude, elevation, and proximity to the Pacific Coast. California's coastal regions, the Sierra Nevada foothills, and much of the Central Valley have a Mediterranean climate, with warmer, drier weather in summer and cooler, wetter weather in winter. The influence of the ocean generally moderates temperature extremes, creating warmer winters and substantially cooler summers in coastal areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Isis (1998)</span> Category 1 Pacific hurricane in 1998

Hurricane Isis was the only hurricane to make landfall during the 1998 Pacific hurricane season. The ninth tropical storm and sixth hurricane of the season, Isis developed on September 1 from an interaction between a tropical wave and a large surface circulation to the southwest of Mexico. It moved northward, striking the extreme southeastern portion of the Baja California peninsula before attaining hurricane status in the Gulf of California. Isis made landfall at Topolobampo in the Mexican state of Sinaloa on September 3, and quickly lost its low-level circulation. The remnants persisted for several days before dissipating over the U.S. state of Idaho on September 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Debby (2012)</span> Atlantic tropical storm in 2012

Tropical Storm Debby was a tropical cyclone that caused extensive flooding in North Florida and Central Florida during late June 2012. The fourth tropical cyclone and named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, Debby developed from a trough of low pressure in the central Gulf of Mexico on June 23. At the time, Debby was the earliest fourth named storm to form within the Atlantic basin on record. Despite a projected track toward landfall in Louisiana or Texas, the storm headed the opposite direction, moving slowly north-northeast and northeastward. The storm slowly strengthened, and at 1800 UTC on June 25, attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph (100 km/h). Dry air, westerly wind shear, and upwelling of cold waters prevented further intensification over the next 24 hours. Instead, Debby weakened, and by late on June 26, it was a minimal tropical storm. At 2100 UTC, the storm made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida with winds of 40 mph (65 km/h). Once inland, the system continued to weaken while crossing Florida, and dissipated shortly after emerging into the Atlantic on June 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tropical Storm Andrea (2013)</span> Atlantic Tropical storm in the 2013

Tropical Storm Andrea brought flooding to Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula, and portions of the East Coast of the United States in June 2013. The first tropical cyclone and named storm of the annual hurricane season, Andrea originated from an area of low pressure in the eastern Gulf of Mexico on June 5. Despite strong wind shear and an abundance of dry air, the storm strengthened while initially heading north-northeastward. Later on June 5, it re-curved northeastward and approached the Big Bend region of Florida. Andrea intensified and peaked as a strong tropical storm with winds at 65 mph (105 km/h) on June 6. A few hours later, the storm weakened slightly and made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida later that day. It began losing tropical characteristics while tracking across Florida and Georgia. Andrea transitioned into an extratropical cyclone over South Carolina on June 7, though the remnants continued to move along the East Coast of the United States, until being absorbed by another extratropical system offshore Maine on June 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">January 2010 North American winter storms</span>

The January 2010 North American winter storms were a group of seven powerful winter storms that affected Canada and the Contiguous United States, particularly California. The storms developed from the combination of a strong El Niño episode, a powerful jet stream, and an atmospheric river that opened from the West Pacific Ocean into the Western Seaboard. The storms shattered multiple records across the Western United States, with the sixth storm breaking records for the lowest recorded air pressure in multiple parts of California, which was also the most powerful winter storm to strike the Southwestern United States in 140 years. The fourth, fifth, and sixth storms spawned several tornadoes across California, with at least 6 tornadoes confirmed in California ; the storms also spawned multiple waterspouts off the coast of California. The storms dumped record amounts of rain and snow in the Western United States, and also brought hurricane-force winds to the U.S. West Coast, causing flooding and wind damage, as well as triggering blackouts across California that cut the power to more than 1.3 million customers. The storms killed at least 10 people, and caused more than $66.879 million in damages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">March 2014 North American winter storm</span> Winter storm in 2014

The March 2014 North American winter storm, also unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Titan, was an extremely powerful winter storm that affected much of the United States and portions of Canada. It was one of the most severe winter storms of the 2013–14 North American winter storm season, storm affecting most of the Western Seaboard, and various parts of the Eastern United States, bringing damaging winds, flash floods, and blizzard and icy conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Dolores (2015)</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 2015

Hurricane Dolores was a powerful and moderately damaging tropical cyclone whose remnants brought record-breaking heavy rains and strong winds to California. The seventh named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the record-breaking 2015 Pacific hurricane season, Dolores formed from a tropical wave on July 11. The system gradually strengthened, attaining hurricane status on July 13. Dolores rapidly intensified as it neared the Baja California peninsula, finally peaking as a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale with winds of 130 mph (215 km/h) on July 15. An eyewall replacement cycle began and cooler sea-surface temperatures rapidly weakened the hurricane, and Dolores weakened to a tropical storm two days later. On July 18, Dolores degenerated into a remnant low west of the Baja California peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">October 2021 Northeast Pacific bomb cyclone</span> North American bomb cyclone in 2021

An extremely powerful extratropical cyclone began in late October 2021 in the Northeast Pacific and struck the Western United States and Western Canada. The storm was the third and the most powerful cyclone in a series of powerful storms that struck the region within a week. The cyclone tapped into a large atmospheric river and underwent explosive intensification, becoming a bomb cyclone on October 24. The bomb cyclone had a minimum central pressure of 942 millibars (27.8 inHg) at its peak, making it the most powerful cyclone recorded in the Northeast Pacific. The system had severe impacts across Western North America, before dissipating on October 26. The storm shattered multiple pressure records across parts of the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the bomb cyclone was the most powerful storm on record to strike the region, in terms of minimum central pressure. The bomb cyclone brought powerful gale-force winds and flooding to portions of Western North America. At its height, the storm cut the power to over 370,500 customers across the Western U.S. and British Columbia. The storm killed at least two people; damage from the storm was estimated at several hundred million dollars. The bomb cyclone was compared to the Columbus Day Storm of 1962, in terms of ferocity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Kay (2022)</span> Category 2 Pacific hurricane in 2022

Hurricane Kay was a Category 2 hurricane that made landfall along the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula as a tropical storm. The twelfth named storm and eighth hurricane of the 2022 Pacific hurricane season, Kay originated from an area of disturbed weather that formed south of southern Mexico. Overall, damage from Kay totaled $10.62 million and it was responsible for five fatalities. Rain from the storm proved beneficial for firefighters battling the Fairview Fire in Southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–2023 California floods</span> Regional natural disaster event

Periods of heavy rainfall caused by multiple atmospheric rivers in California between December 26, 2022, and January 17, 2023, resulted in floods that affected parts of Southern California, the California Central Coast, Northern California and Nevada. The flooding resulted in property damage and at least 22 fatalities. At least 200,000 homes and businesses lost power during the December-January storms and 6,000 individuals were ordered to evacuate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurricane Hilary</span> Category 4 Pacific hurricane in 2023

Hurricane Hilary was a large and powerful Pacific hurricane in August 2023 that brought torrential rainfall and gusty winds to the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the Baja California Peninsula, and the Southwestern United States, resulting in widespread flooding and mudslides. The cyclone was the eighth named storm, sixth hurricane, and fourth major hurricane of the 2023 Pacific hurricane season. Hilary originated from a tropical wave south of Mexico on August 16, and strengthened into a hurricane a day later while paralleling the southwest coast of Mexico. The hurricane underwent rapid intensification, reaching maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a central pressure of 940 mbar (27.76 inHg) on August 18, making it a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. After environmental conditions became unfavorable, Hilary weakened as it approached land, making landfall on August 20 as a tropical storm in San Quintín along the western Baja California peninsula. Hilary became a post-tropical cyclone over land, before being absorbed into a new non-tropical low-pressure area early on August 21.

References

  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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 "Summary: Major CA Winter Storm (4-6 Feb 2024)". Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes. University of California-San Diego. February 14, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  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. ↑ California rainstorms brought — and kept — a lake at Death Valley, NBC News, February 7, 2024
  26. ↑ Death Valley’s recovery from Hilary delayed by new rain, Las Vegas Review Journal, February 8, 2024
  27. ↑ Schlepp, Travis. "NWS confirms 2 tornadoes touched down on California Central Coast". KTLA.com. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  28. ↑ Simon, Matt (February 19, 2024). "Los Angeles Just Proved How Spongy a City Can Be". WIRED. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.