A potent storm slammed into California on Tuesday, Oct. 14, bringing a nasty mix of foul weather, including downpours of rain, strong winds, flood concerns – and even a few tornado warnings.
Rain continued into the afternoon in many areas: "Where torrential rain falls on steep hillsides and burn scar locations, the potential for mudslides and other debris flows will be high," AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alex Sosnowski warned in an online forecast Oct. 14.
"The risk has prompted evacuations north of Los Angeles as of early Tuesday morning (Oct. 14)," he said. According to the Los Angeles Times, evacuation warnings have been issued in areas ravaged by January’s firestorm — including the burn scars from the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire in Altadena, the Hurst fire in Sylmar and the Sunset fire in the Hollywood Hills — "which are at a high risk of debris flows." The evacuations will be in effect overnight.
In addition, "motorists should be prepared for flooded roads, especially where the rate of rain overwhelms storm drains," Sosnowski said.
Further north, snow will be measured in feet in the Sierra Nevada.
What's the forecast in Southern California?
According to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, "a strong storm system will bring widespread rain with isolated heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms today (Oct. 14). There is a significant risk of debris flows, road flooding, and isolated wind damage."
The associated heavy rain will cause mainly localized flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and low-lying areas being the most vulnerable, the weather service said. The flooding may include debris flows in or near recently burned areas.
Tornado risk in LA
Tornado warnings were issued by the National Weather Service early Oct. 14. However, as of noon PDT, no tornadoes had been reported.
But the storm will be potent enough that severe thunderstorms will be of concern in Southern California through the afternoon, AccuWeather said.
An isolated threat for gusty winds and perhaps a brief tornado will gradually diminish through midday for portions of coastal southern California, the Storm Prediction Center said.
Clearing skies ahead
The rain will diminish and end by late afternoon and early evening, the weather service said.
Looking ahead, the weather service in Los Angeles said that dry conditions and a warming trend will develop Wednesday, Oct. 15, and continue through Saturday, Oct. 18.
Snow in the Sierra
An incoming shot of cold air will allow for snow levels to drop to around 5,000 feet through Tuesday, Oct. 14, AccuWeather said. Travelers planning to drive on Interstate 80 through Donner Pass, California, can expect a couple of inches of slushy snow and delays.
Above the passes in the mountains, a foot or more of snow could accumulate, including in some of the resorts near Lake Tahoe, said Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist.
The weather service said that 1 to 2 feet will be possible in the higher elevations.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chaotic storm in California brings tornado, snow and mudslide risk
Reporting by Doyle Rice, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect