California's alert: another storm arrives

Another active period is coming to the West Coast, specifically to California, with several days of rain that increases the risk of flash floods.

An extensive low-pressure system moves eastward, and its first impacts will bring several rounds of showers along the coast from San Francisco through Southern California by Wednesday morning, with the chance of snow falling over the southern California mountains, too. Heavy rain will pick up by Wednesday afternoon from Salinas southward and continue through the evening.

As the center of the low-pressure system comes closer to the Pacific Coast, the heavy rains will quickly activate the WeatherRadar across the rest of California by late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. The Bay Area will have a very active night and likely wake up to flooded spots. More inland, over the Sierra, heavy snow will fall overnight into the rest of the day on Thursday. High risk of power outages starts on Thrusday too as winds will increase statewide with gusts that may exceed 65 mph and stronger over the mountains.

Southern California will continue to have an active Thursday with bands of rain passing by, some strong, which will continue to increase the flood risk. Remember that many burn scars increase the flood risk and the risk of mudslides in the region. Rain totals between Wednesday and Friday night will be the highest along the coast, up to 7 inches in several spots, generally between 3 and 5 inches. The Sierra is forecast to receive up to 7 feet of snow across the highest peaks.

We will monitor the system evaluation and continue to bring you updates throughout the rest of the week.