A significant atmospheric river is set to bring heavy rainfall to Southern California, which will experience some of the heaviest precipitation globally during Christmas week. Here’s a timeline of the storm’s progression.
Southern California is preparing for an atmospheric river during Christmas. Here’s when to anticipate the rain:
According to the National Weather Service, an atmospheric river that has been affecting Northern California will move southward and target Southern California starting Tuesday.
Rain may begin as soon as Tuesday afternoon, initially light and scattered, but it will intensify overnight into Wednesday. Less than half an inch of rain is expected Tuesday evening, but the main impact of the storm will be after midnight, transitioning into Wednesday.
The peak rainfall is anticipated on Christmas Eve, with continued rain expected on Christmas Day. While Wednesday is likely to see the worst conditions, showers, potentially heavy, are expected on Christmas Day as well.
Wet weather is predicted to linger until Friday, although the likelihood of rain will start to diminish.
Moisture from the south and southwest will contribute to intermittent showers on Friday and Saturday, but rainfall at that point should be less than a quarter inch per hour.
Significant snowfall is not projected with this system, with snow levels dropping to around 7,000 feet on Thursday and Friday.
