Thousands are left without power.
A powerful storm system, including an atmospheric river and a bomb cyclone, impacted Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, causing significant disruption on Tuesday. A woman was tragically killed in Washington state when a tree fell on an encampment, and tens of thousands of homes lost power in both Washington and Oregon. The storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and snow, with wind gusts up to 90 mph recorded at high elevations like Mount Rainier. By the evening, nearly 100,000 homes in Washington and 14,000 in Oregon were without power.
The storm is expected to bring as much as 15 inches of rain and up to 2 feet of snow in the mountains. Areas in Northern California, including Mount Shasta City, could see severe snow accumulation, which may disrupt traffic along major routes like Interstate 5. The National Weather Service warned of near-hurricane-force winds, especially along the coast, due to the rapid intensification of the storm, known as bombogenesis. This intense weather system has the potential to cause widespread disruptions, including dangerous conditions in the Cascade Mountains.
Scientists have attributed the growing intensity of atmospheric rivers to climate change, which allows storms to carry more water vapor and produce heavier precipitation. This particular atmospheric river is expected to bring significant moisture to Northern California, which could result in up to 20 inches of rain in some areas over the next few days. Flood warnings have been issued for several counties, including parts of the Sacramento Valley, as rivers like the Russian River may experience minor flooding. However, the heavy rains are also seen as beneficial, potentially replenishing California’s dry reservoirs and groundwater supplies.
Experts note that atmospheric rivers are responsible for much of the West Coast’s annual rainfall, though they can also lead to significant flood damage. Over the past decade, these storms have caused more than $1 billion in flood-related damage each year. While this storm could cause short-term flooding and disruptions, it is also helping to restore much-needed water reserves in a region that frequently experiences drought conditions.
Despite the immediate risks, experts say atmospheric rivers are crucial for managing water resources in the West. They are a vital part of California’s water cycle, often bringing much-needed precipitation during the fall and winter months. The ongoing storm, rated as an AR 4, is expected to provide a substantial amount of rain to Northern California, helping to improve the state’s water supply while also presenting challenges in the form of potential flooding and travel disruptions.
