Key Takeaways
- A powerful Christmas week storm is bringing several inches of rain to Southern California, putting at-risk communities on alert for possible mudslides and creating slick driving conditions.
- The atmospheric river is expected to cause flash flooding and has triggered evacuation warnings in some areas.
- Thousands of people are affected by power outages across Southern California, with the largest outages in the San Fernando Valley and the West L.A. area.
- California is working to capture as much rain as possible to supply tens of thousands of households and reservoirs across the state still have room for the rain.
- It has only rained 46 times on Christmas Day in Southern California since 1892, making this storm system potentially one of the wettest holidays in recent memory.
Introduction to the Storm
A powerful Christmas week storm is dumping rain across Southern California, putting at-risk communities on alert for possible mudslides and creating slick driving conditions for the region as a whole. The atmospheric river is bringing several inches of rain over the next few days, raising the risk of flash flooding and triggering evacuation warnings in some areas. Significant rain is expected to slam Southern California for most of Wednesday, and the wet weather will stick around through Friday. This storm system has the potential to cause significant disruptions and damage, and residents are advised to stay alert and follow evacuation warnings.
Tornado Warning and Power Outages
A Tornado Warning was issued for a small portion of east-central Los Angeles County, which included the communities of Alhambra, Pasadena, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, El Monte, and Temple City. The warning was canceled around 10:40 a.m., but the National Weather Service said that damaging winds are likely to stick around and that the Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains in effect for the area. In addition to the tornado warning, thousands of people across Southern California are impacted by power outages, with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reporting numerous outages in various parts of its service area. The largest outages are in the San Fernando Valley and the West L.A. area, according to the department’s outage map. Southern California Edison is also reporting outages in Los Angeles and Orange County, but fewer numbers of customers appear to be affected.
Capturing Rain for Future Water Supply
California is working to capture as much storm water as possible to supply tens of thousands of households and reservoirs across the state. The winter season is a critical time of year for collecting and storing water to get through the drier months. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office says last month’s storms generated enough water to supply tens of thousands of households in Los Angeles alone. And reservoirs across the state still have room for the rain we’re getting now, with Lake Oroville’s storage at 54% capacity. This effort to capture rainwater is crucial for the state’s water supply, and residents are encouraged to do their part in conserving water.
Historical Context of Rain on Christmas
In Southern California, it’s usually dry on Christmas, which allows for outdoor holiday gatherings. But this storm system could deliver one of the wettest holidays in recent memory. ABC7 Meteorologist Dallas Raines looked into the history of rain on Christmas Day and found that it has only rained 46 times on Christmas Day since 1892. This means that we’ve only received rain 34% of the time, making this storm system potentially one of the wettest holidays in recent memory. The most recent storm was back in 2017 when it rained almost one inch on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. And if you were wondering if L.A. has ever had a white Christmas, the answer is no. But we can always dream, right?
Conclusion and Preparations
In conclusion, the powerful Christmas week storm is bringing significant rain to Southern California, putting at-risk communities on alert for possible mudslides and creating slick driving conditions. Residents are advised to stay alert and follow evacuation warnings, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the storm. With the potential for flash flooding and power outages, it’s essential to be prepared and have a plan in place. By capturing as much rainwater as possible, California can help supply tens of thousands of households and reservoirs across the state, making this storm a crucial opportunity for the state’s water supply. As the storm continues to unfold, residents are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe.
