Major storm brings much-needed precipitation to the state, though flooding and high winds pose ongoing risks.

California is being battered by a powerful storm known as an “atmospheric river,” which is bringing heavy rain, high winds, and significant snowfall to the region. The storm, driven by a low-pressure system from the Pacific Northwest, has triggered a rapid shift in weather patterns, transitioning from unseasonably warm conditions to intense downpours in just a few days.

Making landfall on Monday night, the storm has already caused widespread rainfall across the San Francisco Bay Area, with flood advisories and warnings issued for large sections of central and northern California. The National Weather Service has forecast that the storm will move southward, bringing further rain and snow to southern California by Tuesday evening, although the intensity will lessen as it continues along the coast. Forecasters predict the state will experience unsettled weather throughout the week.

According to the National Weather Service, the atmospheric river will continue to unleash gusty winds and heavy rainfall along the coast, while also bringing mountain snow to the Sierra Nevada and the Rockies. In some areas, up to 5 inches of rain could accumulate, and mountain ranges could see as much as 3 feet of snow. The storm has raised concerns over potential flash flooding, especially in regions that have suffered from past wildfires, where “burn scars” are vulnerable to quick runoff due to the lack of vegetation.

Despite the dangers, the storm’s rain is being welcomed in many parts of the state, offering a respite from California’s ongoing drought conditions and helping to replenish water supplies ahead of the new year.