California storms are about to hit. Here’s a timeline of their most severe impacts

California is in the midst of a back-to-back storms that are predicted to bring flooding rain, heavy snowfall, devastating winds, dangerous waves and even the possibility of tornadoes to parts of the state. Nearly every inch of California is expected to receive precipitation this week; More areas than usual will see snow instead of just rain.

The first storm will begin Sunday with moderate to heavy showers in Northern California and along the Central Coast, while Southern California will see overcast skies and a few showers. By Sunday night, steady snow will fall in the Sierra Nevada. Showers are expected to hit Southern California on Monday.

A brief break between systems Monday night will be followed quickly by a colder storm Tuesday into Wednesday. This will bring the coldest air to California in three years, increasing snow potential in the Sierra foothills, parts of the Bay Area and Interstate 5 in Grapevine.

Another system is expected to hit Thursday, but here’s what to expect from the first two storms to hit the Golden State:

Bay Area

Sunday will become increasingly rainy throughout the day. Morning showers will target Marin, Sonoma, San Francisco and San Mateo counties, but the possibility of raindrops elsewhere cannot be ruled out.

Persistent rain should reach San Francisco and Oakland by noon, then spread east through the afternoon and evening. Showers are likely to occur between 16.00 and 22.00

There’s a chance of rain throughout the Bay Area on Monday, but the Santa Cruz Mountains, South Bay and East Bay are expected to be under the heaviest band, totaling 1 to 3 inches. A slight change in the system’s location could cause the band of showers to move further north toward San Francisco. Minor flooding of roads and small streams and creeks may occur.

Wind direction and speed will fluctuate on Sunday and Monday as the low pressure system passes southward. In San Francisco, winds will gradually shift from southeast to southwest on Sunday. On Monday, they will depart from the northeast before leaving the northwest in the afternoon. Winds could exceed 40 mph Monday evening.

Tuesday’s cold weather will bring the possibility of precipitation again and strengthening winds as it moves from north to south. Overnight showers could fall as snow above 2,500 feet.

Sierra Nevada

An extended winter storm warning will be in effect throughout the Sierra from 10 pm Sunday until 10 pm Wednesday. Ski resorts at the peak can pack 5 to 7 feet of snow.

It appears that there will be two waves of heavy snowfall during the focal period.

The first blast arrives Monday morning into the evening, with snowfall rates peaking at 1 to 2 inches per hour. The snow line will start around 6,000 feet and drop to 5,000 feet.

“Snowfall rates will taper off late Monday night into Tuesday morning, then increase again as a stronger, colder wave moves through Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning,” the National Weather Service said in the Tahoe area.

This cold second blow could increase snowfall rates by up to 3 inches per hour between Interstate 80 and Yosemite National Park. Snowstorms will be a danger, with wind gusts reaching 50 mph in Sierra communities and 100 mph in the mountain tops. It will also drift below the rain-snow line below 2,500 feet Wednesday morning.

Cold weather will favor the light, fluffy snow skiers prefer, but powder can sometimes blow around, reducing visibility to nearly zero. Typically 10 inches of snow melts into 1 inch of rain, but cold weather Tuesday night into Wednesday could push the odds up to 15:1.

Central and South Coast

Monterey to San Diego appears to be right in the middle of Monday’s system.

The storm line will move from west to east throughout the day, bringing many dangers.

The heaviest showers are expected to drop up to a centimeter of rain in an hour and cause flash flooding. Damaging winds can knock down branches and power lines. Waterspouts and a brief tornado are also possible, although the risk is low.

Calm weather on Tuesday will be followed by a cold wave that evening. Snowfall will drop to 3,500 degrees or lower by early Wednesday, bringing major flurries to the mountains, including Big Bear.

elsewhere

• Snow accumulation is expected along I-5 interchanges in Northern and Southern California. More than a foot is expected at Black Butte Peak (Siskiyou County) near Mount Shasta on Tuesday, with inches forecast across the Vine early Wednesday.

• Dangerous seas are expected throughout the week. High surf is forecast to peak Tuesday and Wednesday, with waves breaking as high as 15 feet on the North Shore, 20 feet on the Central Coast, and 10 to 15 feet on the South Shore.

This article was first published at: California storms are about to hit. Here’s a timeline of its most severe effects.