West Coast Prepares for More Rain and Snow This Week

A storm packing an abundance of moisture is headed to the West Coast this week, bringing significant amounts of rain and snow to the region. Here is what you should expect in the days ahead.

Duo of Storms Aiming at the West Coast This Week with Rain and Snow

The Pacific storm train is rolling along this week, predicted to dump meaningful precipitation in the form of both rain and snow to California and beyond. Two storms are in the forecast for this week with one targeting Southern California and the second event expected to encompass a much larger region.

Torrential rain and heavy snow are expected across much of the western U.S. The surge of moisture will be enough to snarl travel, however, the incoming precipitation is good news for areas struggling with drought conditions.

The first of the duo of storms began to push into Southern California late Monday and early Tuesday. The Tuesday event will send up to an inch of rain throughout the coastal portions of Southern California. The forecast for places such as Los Angeles is calling for gray skies and periodic rain showers. It will be a cool day in the City of Angels with highs struggling to climb out of the upper 50s and lows that dip down to the 50-degree benchmark.

Higher amounts of rain are possible across the western and southern slopes of the Coast Ranges. This area will be at the highest threat of flooding, mudslides, and debris flows.

It is also going to be a soaker of a day in San Diego. The forecast models indicate that this metro area will see its single biggest rain event of the rainy season, dating back to October 1.

While it is not going to be at the center of this particular storm, the rain will also make another appearance in the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday. Seattle is predicted to see rain develop in the evening and overnight hours, amounting to about a quarter of an inch of accumulation. Temperatures will hover at about the 50-degree mark for a high before falling into the mid 40s overnight.

Heading down Interstate 5, Portland will see similar conditions to Seattle. This means that the rain will pick up later in the day and intensify after the sun goes down. Like Seattle, you can expect highs in the low 50s and overnight readings that bottom out in the mid 40s.