10/15/2024
After two straight winters of normal rainfall, plentiful snow, and full reservoirs, what should Californians expect this winter?
Close to 40 atmospheric rivers hit the western U.S. that season, many of which impacted California.
A new AccuWeather 2024-25 winter forecast released this week predicts that atmospheric rivers will begin flowing into the state "before the official arrival of winter" on Dec. 21.
Atmospheric rivers and storms from the Pacific Ocean will focus on Northern California before tracking over the Rocky Mountains as winter gets underway. "Look for a potential shift in the storm track midwinter," Pastelok said.
This new pattern will open the door for storms to track farther south over Central and Southern California and push inland.
January could be the wettest month of the winter for Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as the Inland Empire.
A weak La Niña, like the winter of 2022-23, could bring a bonanza of moisture.