First winter storm in California: How long will it last and areas with flood alerts

A storm system is currently sweeping across the eastern United States. According to meteorologists, heavy rains have already hit certain areas of California, while others are about to experience the first major winter storm, which is expected to bring up to eight inches of rain to the most affected regions.

What areas will be impacted?

The National Weather Service has issued a series of warnings as California experiences the first winter storm of the season.

The San Fransisco NWS office has issued a Flood Warning that covers parts of “central and northern California, including [...] Monterey, San Benito, [and Santa Clara counties].” Only “minor flooding” is anticipated “in low-lying and poor drainage areas” as well as roadways.

In Southern California, the NWS office in Los Angeles and Oxnard also issued a Flood Warning for Western and Central San Luis Obispo counties. One to three inches of rain are expected and since the rain is expected to fall over the course of such a short time could lead to flooding on roadways and low-lying areas as well.

To stay safe, the office advises drivers to “turn around” if they encounter a flooded road. It can be difficult to tell how deep the water is and drivers can be trapped if they continue driving on flooded roads.

How long will the bad weather last?

Based on meteorological projections, the state is anticipated to experience continuous heavy rainfall until December 22. As a precautionary measure, authorities have urged Californians to clean their drains and roofs to prevent any potential damages caused by the extreme weather conditions. In addition, experts recommend keeping a stock of food, especially with the holiday season approaching, as the harsh weather may make it challenging to go out for shopping. For the latest updates, we suggest monitoring the official website of the National Weather Service (NWS).