California and the West have been subjected to a nearly unrelenting series of storms for weeks, but signs of relief are finally emerging. AccuWeather meteorologists are urging residents to keep their rain gear handy as rainy conditions are set to persist into early next week.
AccuWeather’s Kai Kerkow reported that “rainy weather is expected to continue for much of coastal and Northern California through Monday night,” due to ongoing storm systems affecting the state. This additional precipitation comes after a period of consistent wet weather, with conditions expected to evolve after the weekend.
The storm track is predicted to shift further north, bringing rain and mountain snow primarily to the Pacific Northwest. This shift will be accompanied by the development of high pressure in the West, which should help minimize precipitation over California by mid-January.
Residents in Central and Northern California should prepare for heavy rainfall, with Kerkow highlighting the risk of flooding in both urban areas and mountainous regions. Rain is projected to be particularly significant across various parts of Southern California, including the Los Angeles area, where an additional inch of rain could occur from Sunday night into Monday. Leaders in the region warn that this accumulation may disrupt traffic on major highways such as the 5 and the 101.
The current moisture levels in California are remarkable; since mid-October, downtown Los Angeles has recorded nearly 14 inches of rain—343% of average for the period—while San Diego’s totals reach 232% of the norm. Even traditionally drier areas like San Francisco are seeing above-average precipitation.
In higher elevations, heavy snow has benefited ski resorts while complicating travel. Kerkow noted that “multiple feet of fresh powder” are expected in the Sierra Nevada mountains through Monday, which could lead to significant road closures, particularly along Interstate 80.
A welcome break from the rainfall is expected later in the week, offering a much-needed respite from the consistent storms that have plagued the region since mid-December. Though Northern California may still see some rain and snow on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Bay Area and areas to the south will likely begin to dry out.
While this shift toward drier weather is anticipated for California, the Pacific Northwest, including parts of Washington and Oregon, will continue to face stormy conditions. Seattle and Portland have also been experiencing above-average rainfall since November, with previous atmospheric river events leading to historic flooding in western regions.
Localized flooding may occur again this week, but forecasters do not expect widespread impacts. By the second full week of January, conditions could stabilize for the majority of the Pacific Northwest, potentially shifting toward longer periods of dry weather.
As California transitions from persistent storms to a well-deserved break, there is hope for revitalized landscapes and cleared roadways, offering the state a moment to recover before winter’s grip tightens once more.