LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California is currently experiencing torrential rains, leading to the issuance of flash flood warnings across the region. These warnings follow a series of storms that have positioned the area for near-record rainfall levels for the month of November, according to the National Weather Service.
As early as dawn on Friday, residents in parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties were cautioned about potential flash flooding affecting streets, creeks, and streams, with warnings also referencing the risk of mudslides. Notably, rain flowed through some streets like a stream in coastal Huntington Beach.
The National Weather Service's latest alerts noted flash flood warnings extending from downtown Los Angeles to Mission Viejo in Orange County, with reported incidents of vehicles getting stuck in floodwaters close to Culver City.
Since the storm series began on November 13th, it has delivered an unusual amount of rain, with downtown Los Angeles receiving over four times the typical November rain total. Normally, downtown sees about 0.78 inches, but this November, it has already registered approximately 3.5 inches.
Santa Barbara County has notably absorbed a large amount of rain, with certain parts of the Santa Ynez Mountains accumulating more than 15 inches since the beginning of the month.
The current severe weather pattern is tied to a potent atmospheric river, which has been responsible for multiple fatalities and extensive rainfall across California earlier this month. With heavy rains come the inevitable risks of mudslides, particularly in regions recovering from recent wildfires.
Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of water vapor in the atmosphere that transport moisture from the tropics to northern climates, significantly impacting weather conditions in the areas they affect.
