Stormy Outlook for Burn-Scarred Los Angeles as Atmospheric River Brings Heavy Rainfall
California's historic wildfire season may be nearing its end, but the arrival of an atmospheric river this week is bringing new concerns. The storm, which hit California on Wednesday, has forecasters predicting "periods of moderate to heavy rain" in the coming days, with up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) of rain expected across Los Angeles and surrounding areas by Friday.
However, officials are urging residents of burn-scarred Los Angeles to evacuate as the deluge creates a risk of flash flooding and mudslides. The warning will remain in effect from Thursday evening to Sunday morning. This is because the intense heat from wildfires has left behind burn scars that can be as water repellent as pavement, making it easier for rainwater to reach the ground.
As plants burn, they release a waxy substance that solidifies on the top layer of soil, causing it to become hydrophobic. Loss of plants also destabilizes the soil, making it more susceptible to flash flooding and mudslides. This is why officials are taking evacuations seriously, as even small amounts of rainfall can trigger these hazards in burn scars.
The storm is expected to intensify on Thursday night and Saturday, bringing heavy rain to Southern California. Meteorologists expect nearly the entire state to receive precipitation, but forecast models suggest it could stall over Southern California, potentially delivering more rain than initially predicted.
While there's uncertainty around the current forecast, experts are hopeful that this storm could bring an end to the 2025 fire season. Climate change has made wildfires a year-round phenomenon in California, and experts consider this November storm to be crucial in reducing fire risk across the state.
According to studies, it takes about a third of an inch of rainfall over three days to mitigate wildfire risk in Southern California. Julia Kalansky, a Scripps climatologist, noted that this storm has the potential to significantly reduce fire risk, helping to prevent another winter disaster.
The outcome of this storm remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it highlights how interconnected California's extreme weather hazards have become. The best-case scenario is a marked reduction in wildfire risk with minimal flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
California's historic wildfire season may be nearing its end, but the arrival of an atmospheric river this week is bringing new concerns. The storm, which hit California on Wednesday, has forecasters predicting "periods of moderate to heavy rain" in the coming days, with up to 2 inches (5.1 cm) of rain expected across Los Angeles and surrounding areas by Friday.
However, officials are urging residents of burn-scarred Los Angeles to evacuate as the deluge creates a risk of flash flooding and mudslides. The warning will remain in effect from Thursday evening to Sunday morning. This is because the intense heat from wildfires has left behind burn scars that can be as water repellent as pavement, making it easier for rainwater to reach the ground.
As plants burn, they release a waxy substance that solidifies on the top layer of soil, causing it to become hydrophobic. Loss of plants also destabilizes the soil, making it more susceptible to flash flooding and mudslides. This is why officials are taking evacuations seriously, as even small amounts of rainfall can trigger these hazards in burn scars.
The storm is expected to intensify on Thursday night and Saturday, bringing heavy rain to Southern California. Meteorologists expect nearly the entire state to receive precipitation, but forecast models suggest it could stall over Southern California, potentially delivering more rain than initially predicted.
While there's uncertainty around the current forecast, experts are hopeful that this storm could bring an end to the 2025 fire season. Climate change has made wildfires a year-round phenomenon in California, and experts consider this November storm to be crucial in reducing fire risk across the state.
According to studies, it takes about a third of an inch of rainfall over three days to mitigate wildfire risk in Southern California. Julia Kalansky, a Scripps climatologist, noted that this storm has the potential to significantly reduce fire risk, helping to prevent another winter disaster.
The outcome of this storm remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: it highlights how interconnected California's extreme weather hazards have become. The best-case scenario is a marked reduction in wildfire risk with minimal flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
but like, on a scale of 1 to 10 i'd say this is gonna be a wild ride 
so hopefully it brings some much-needed rain and not just more drama 
idk how scientists measure all that water (2 inches? that's like, a small pizza crust) but seriously experts are hopeful this storm could put an end to the fire season already 
we need it 
️... i mean, we thought we were done with wildfires, but climate change has other plans 
. it's crazy how the heat from those fires can make the soil so water-repellent, just like pavement 
. and now they're warning people to evacuate? no joke, this storm could be a game-changer for the region 
.
. what if it just makes things worse? 
i guess only time will tell, but one thing's for sure - this storm is a reminder of how much our weather has become intertwined with each other 
.
. california needs all the luck it can get right now 
.
stormy forecast is lookin bad for burn-scarred areas don't know if 2 inches of rain is good or bad idk but one thing's for sure, mudslides and flash flooding are comin hard 
i'm just glad experts think this storm might bring an end to the 2025 fire season but stalling over SoCal? that sounds like a recipe for disaster 
but think about it like this... it's not just rain, it's kinda like nature's revenge on those wildfires 
and who knows maybe it'll bring an end to this crazy fire season 
I'm kinda surprised the authorities are taking evacuations seriously, ya know? Like, we all knew this storm was gonna be a big deal when it came out 
It feels like they're trying to mitigate one problem by potentially causing another... 
i don't know man...
. If this storm brings more water than forecasted, it could be disastrous. On the other hand, if it helps reduce wildfire risk and keeps the fires from coming back, that would be amazing 
. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to finally put an end to this fire season, but can we please get some decent drainage systems first? The thought of all that rain just making everything worse is giving me anxiety 
. Fingers crossed it doesn't turn into a mudslide nightmare 
. anywayz, fingers crossed it brings some much-needed rain 2 the burn-scarred areas & helps bring an end 2 this fire season 
been reading about this atmospheric river thing and it sounds like a big deal... climate change is making wildfires way more unpredictable so fingers crossed this storm brings some relief 
I'm all about taking care of the environment, but also being prepared for the unexpected. Burn scars on LA are a harsh reminder that we need to respect nature and take preventive measures 
. and can we talk about how crazy climate change is making these fires happen all year round? like, 1/3 inch of rainfall to mitigate wildfire risk? that sounds super reasonable... until you realize its southern cali and the rain just gets stuck in the mountains 
. It's crazy to think that climate change has made wildfires a thing of season now - what's next? 
I feel bad for everyone affected by the fires already, and it's just devastating to think that we might still see more disasters in the future. The fact that experts are saying this storm could be a game-changer for the 2025 fire season is really encouraging though! Fingers crossed it brings an end to the chaos 
they're gonna be stuck in this heavy rain for days 