California Prepares for Incoming Pacific Storms

California is still cleaning up from floods and mudslides that killed at least one person over the weekend, and now another atmospheric river is bearing down on the state. This one is expected to arrive later this week and could bring more flooding and damage.

A strong stream of moist air is forecast to bring 3 to 6 inches of rain to a wide area from Eureka to San Francisco Wednesday into Thursday, with some isolated areas receiving as much as 8 inches, said William Churchill, a forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. These systems can carry a lot of water to locations when they hit.

While they can be deadly, wildfires are also an important part of how California and the US West replenish their water supplies. The state has been suffering from a years-long drought that has dried up the Colorado River and parched the landscape, making wildfires an essential part of the water cycle.

The rains will continue in Southern California on Wednesday, adding to the series of storms that have hit the state in the last week. The ground is already saturated, so any additional rain will cause flooding and other problems.

"This is the worst thing coming up in the near term, but the pattern will probably continue for the next week or two," said Churchill. "This is not the last."

A record 5.46 inches of rain fell in downtown San Francisco on New Year's Eve, capping off almost a foot of rain that fell through December, according to the National Weather Service. California's capital, Sacramento, also received a record 2.37 inches of rain to end the year. At least one person died in the deluges, according to the Associated Press.

The danger of flash floods is magnified in areas that have been burned by recent wildfires. The water can trigger mudslides, which can fill a house in seconds.

The storms are forecast to bring more heavy snow across the state’s mountain ranges, in addition to the rain. Localized spots around South Lake Tahoe could get upwards of 3 feet (0.9 meters).The midweek rain may not be as severe as the New Year's Eve storm, but it will intensify the impact of the precipitation that has already fallen, Churchill said.

The US West is in the midst of a severe drought, and California is especially hard-hit. According to the US Drought Monitor, as of December 27th, almost 98% of the state is experiencing drought conditions. While storms can be dangerous, the reality is that the region desperately needs water.