Another powerful atmospheric river threatens dangerous flooding in Southern California this weekend

(CNN Spanish) — A second, more powerful atmospheric river is poised to bring deadly flooding to Southern California on Sunday, following an earlier storm that already dumped record rainfall in parts of the region.

Another round of atmospheric rivers that will hit California in the coming days may begin affecting the central and southern regions late Saturday night and last for several days.

Forecasts show that Southern California, including the Los Angeles area, will bear the brunt of the storm, with the worst flooding beginning Sunday.

“An extended period of heavy rain will develop late Saturday night and continue through most of Sunday and Monday,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned. “This storm could produce unprecedented rainfall over a wide area,” he added.

More than a month’s worth of rain could fall across much of Southern California, where widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected Saturday through Wednesday, the weather service said. That will be in addition to the torrential rains that hit the area on Thursday, when the first atmospheric river dumped record rainfall in many places.

A car was partially submerged on a road in Long Beach, California on Thursday. (Credit: David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images)

This weekend’s atmospheric river — a long, narrow band of moisture that carries saturated air thousands of miles and then discharges it like a fire hose — is expected to become even stronger and pool over land, flooding many already saturated areas. soaks by Thursday’s powerful storm.

Periods of moderate to heavy rain may persist for about 48 hours, with Sunday and Monday being the most dangerous days.

Predicted deluges threaten urban flooding, mud and rock slides, flash floods and river overflows. To make matters worse, the soil is already saturated from Thursday’s storm, and another round of heavy rains increases the risk of debris flows in Southern California.

“With the ground already saturated from today’s rains, the onset of dangerous flooding with this incoming event will be very rapid and everyone, especially those near the mountains to the south, need to start preparing now for possible evacuations or even during the storm. Before that,” the National Weather Service warned Thursday.

As of Sunday, coastal sections of central and southern California, including the Santa Barbara area, have a 3 out of 4 risk of heavy rain, and the same risk level north of San Francisco is a 4 out of 4 risk. to Los Angeles, according to the Weather Forecast Center.

A heavy rain threat will continue for Santa Barbara through Monday and expand to include Los Angeles.

Overall, wet conditions are expected to continue well into February as a more typical El Niño pattern is in motion.

El Niño — a natural phenomenon in the tropical Pacific that influences climate around the world — causes changes in the jet stream that can direct hurricanes directly into California. Hurricanes can also tap additional supplies of moisture from the tropics called atmospheric rivers.

Life-threatening floods in the south

For Southern California, another atmospheric river is expected to hit late Saturday into Wednesday with storms that could bring heavy rain, the National Weather Service warned.

“Heavy rainfall is expected with the potential for damaging and deadly flooding,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said Thursday, urging people to be prepared.

Southern California residents should prepare for possible evacuations near rivers and streams and use sandbags to protect vulnerable areas, the weather service said.

Meanwhile, mountain and foothill areas in Southern California could see up to a foot of atmospheric precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.

Travel through the mountains is also discouraged, as heavy snowfall is expected, with up to 1.2 meters of snow expected in the Sierra Nevada.

“Residents may be stranded for several days, obtaining supplies and additional gas,” the weather service warned.

The forecast comes as Southern California reels from the round of heavy rain it endured Thursday from a previously atmospheric river. Portions of the Pacific Coast Highway and the 710 Freeway were closed while lifeguards conducted water rescues.

Long Beach, south of downtown Los Angeles, experienced severe flooding. Firefighters rescued several people from submerged vehicles, according to authorities, although no injuries were reported.

One man was hospitalized in stable condition after being rescued in nearby Orange County, where he was caught in a storm filled with heavy rain, according to firefighters.

CNN meteorologist Robert Shackelford contributed to this report.