The residents of drought parched California and Southwestern United States are all set to witness a stormy week ahead. This week most parts of California and its adjoining areas will observe good rainfall. San Francisco received light rainfall on Sunday, which according to weather experts were the first signs of El-Nino related snowstorms.
Southern California welcomed the stormy week with some light rain starting Monday afternoon through Monday night. Also, during the late night hours, storm number one resulted in around 0.5 inch of rain over some parts of Southern Arizona. More intense rain along with mountain snow will be observed across several parts of Arizona, California and New Mexico as other storms affect the region. Winds are not expected to be as strong as the previous storms, which hit the Northwestern US.
During the months of November and December, northwestern United States was lashed by a series of storms. Now, it is the drought affected California’s turn to see some rain. According to forecasters, while Arizona and California will record inches of rain, the drought situation in Southwest US will not show much improvement.
Not only will this string of storms bring heavy rainfall, the mountains are likely to receive some snowfall as well. Sierra Nevada is expected to receive feet of snow. This snowfall will be helpful in filling lakes and reservoirs during the warmer months. Travel may be hindered around the Donner Pass due to heavy snow throughout the week.
The first and the weakest storm will be seen on Monday with only light rain in Southern California. However, heavy rainfall is likely over areas of New Mexico, Arizona, and Baja California. San Francisco may receive some rain on Monday afternoon. Flagstaff in Arizona may observe some snowfall as well.
The storms next in line will be stronger and affect California and its adjoining areas from Tuesday through Friday. Heavy to very heavy rainfall along with widespread mountain snow is expected in Arizona, New Mexico, and California. Hills surrounding Los Angeles may be prone to some flooding as well.
Southern California is likely to receive around 1 to 3 feet of snow as storms in the latter half of the week will be stronger. Travel problems will arise as the possibility of urban flooding and mudslides cannot be ruled out.
About 1 to 3 feet snow is expected in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, in California and Flagstaff, and Arizona in Phoenix. After lashing Southwestern United States, storms will make a comeback over Northwestern United States next weekend.
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