California Prepares for Multi-Phase Winter Storm with Heavy Snow and Flood Risks
California is on high alert as a major winter storm approaches, threatening to bring treacherous thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy mountain snow across much of the state. Officials are urging residents to take immediate precautions, with the storm expected to progress in several phases through late Wednesday, intensifying risks from wind, rain, and snow.
Emergency Services and Utility Companies Mobilise
Jacob Spender, a meteorologist with the weather service in Sacramento, has advised people to pack winter safety kits, especially if travel is planned. Meanwhile, Pacific Gas & Electric is using artificial intelligence and machine-learning enhanced weather models to strategically deploy crews and equipment like power poles and transformers ahead of the storm. The utility company emphasised that this weather event differs from typical winter storms due to its multi-phase nature, with multiple storm systems likely to heighten dangers.
California's Office of Emergency Services is placing fire and rescue personnel and resources in areas most at risk for flooding, mud, and debris flows. Rain had already begun in the San Francisco Bay Area on Sunday, prompting officials to issue warnings about potential flood risks.
Forecast Details and Travel Disruptions
Forecasters predict that the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, northern Shasta County—including portions of Interstate 5—and parts of the state's Coast Range could see up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) of snow before the storm moves through. The heavy snow, combined with strong winds and low visibility, is expected to make travel conditions dangerous to near impossible.
"It has seemed 'spring-like' for a large part of 2026, but winter is set to show it’s not quite done yet," the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office stated in a social media post, urging residents to stay aware of the storm.
Southern California Evacuation Warnings
In Southern California, residents in some Los Angeles neighborhoods, still scarred by last year’s devastating wildfires, are under an evacuation warning through Tuesday due to the potential for mud and debris flows. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered emergency crews and city departments to be ready to respond to any problems, highlighting the widespread impact of this impending weather event.
