Holiday travel alert: California braces for intense winter storms and atmospheric river impacts
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Dec 24, 2025, 22:27 IST
California is bracing for an unprecedented winter storm, prompting officials to advise travelers to steer clear of highways. Deluge is on the horizon, accompanied by fierce winds and snow blanketing the mountains. Southern California is on track for a record-breaking wet Christmas. The threat of flash floods and mudslides looms large, forcing evacuations in several regions.
California officials and weather forecasters are urging holiday travelers to avoid the roads and reconsider Christmas travel due to a series of powerful winter storms bringing relentless rains, heavy winds, and mountain snow. The storms, which began late Tuesday evening, are expected to intensify into Christmas Eve, creating hazardous if not impossible travel conditions across the state as multiple atmospheric rivers make their way through.
The National Weather Service warned that millions of people planning to travel will likely encounter dangerous conditions. Southern California could experience its wettest Christmas in years, with forecasters issuing warnings about flash flooding, mudslides, and debris flows in areas previously affected by wildfires. Los Angeles County officials have begun door-to-door notifications for approximately 380 vulnerable households, ordering them to evacuate.
Much of the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area are under a flood watch and a high wind warning that will remain in effect through Friday. In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow and strong gusts are predicted to create near white-out conditions on Wednesday, making travel through mountain passes extremely difficult. There is also a risk of severe thunderstorms and a slight chance of tornadoes along the northern coast.
Heavy rain and flash flooding have already resulted in water rescues and at least one fatality in Northern California, according to local officials. Shasta County Sheriff Michael L. Johnson declared a state of emergency on Monday to prepare for additional rainfall and to facilitate state assistance with hazard mitigation and search and rescue operations.
Southern California typically receives between half an inch and 1 inch of rain during this period. However, this week, many areas are expected to receive between 4 and 8 inches, with even higher amounts possible in the mountains, as stated by National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford. Wind gusts could reach 60 to 80 mph in parts of the central coast.
Officials anticipate numerous road closures and airport delays throughout the duration of the storms. The potential for downed trees and power lines also exists. Some areas of Los Angeles are currently under evacuation warnings.
To mitigate the impact of sliding debris during rainstorms, Los Angeles County has installed K-rails, a type of barrier, around burn scar areas. Residents have also been offered free sandbags to help protect their homes, according to Los Angeles County supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Despite evacuation notifications, many residents in burn scar areas have chosen not to leave, as reported by Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. He implored them to reconsider their decision.
“The threat posed by this storm is real and imminent.”
Local and state authorities are mobilizing to address potential emergencies throughout the week. Resources and first responders have been deployed to various counties along the coast and in Southern California. The California National Guard is also on standby to provide support.
An atmospheric river is characterized as a long, narrow band of water vapor originating over an ocean. This phenomenon transports moisture from tropical regions towards northern latitudes as it flows through the atmosphere.
“If you’re planning to be on the roads for the Christmas holidays, please reconsider your plans,” said Ariel Cohen, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Los Angeles, during a Tuesday news conference.
“The threat posed by this storm is real and imminent,” he said.
The National Weather Service warned that millions of people planning to travel will likely encounter dangerous conditions. Southern California could experience its wettest Christmas in years, with forecasters issuing warnings about flash flooding, mudslides, and debris flows in areas previously affected by wildfires. Los Angeles County officials have begun door-to-door notifications for approximately 380 vulnerable households, ordering them to evacuate.
Much of the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area are under a flood watch and a high wind warning that will remain in effect through Friday. In the Sierra Nevada, heavy snow and strong gusts are predicted to create near white-out conditions on Wednesday, making travel through mountain passes extremely difficult. There is also a risk of severe thunderstorms and a slight chance of tornadoes along the northern coast.
Heavy rain and flash flooding have already resulted in water rescues and at least one fatality in Northern California, according to local officials. Shasta County Sheriff Michael L. Johnson declared a state of emergency on Monday to prepare for additional rainfall and to facilitate state assistance with hazard mitigation and search and rescue operations.
Southern California typically receives between half an inch and 1 inch of rain during this period. However, this week, many areas are expected to receive between 4 and 8 inches, with even higher amounts possible in the mountains, as stated by National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Wofford. Wind gusts could reach 60 to 80 mph in parts of the central coast.
Officials anticipate numerous road closures and airport delays throughout the duration of the storms. The potential for downed trees and power lines also exists. Some areas of Los Angeles are currently under evacuation warnings.
To mitigate the impact of sliding debris during rainstorms, Los Angeles County has installed K-rails, a type of barrier, around burn scar areas. Residents have also been offered free sandbags to help protect their homes, according to Los Angeles County supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Despite evacuation notifications, many residents in burn scar areas have chosen not to leave, as reported by Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. He implored them to reconsider their decision.
“The threat posed by this storm is real and imminent.”
Local and state authorities are mobilizing to address potential emergencies throughout the week. Resources and first responders have been deployed to various counties along the coast and in Southern California. The California National Guard is also on standby to provide support.
An atmospheric river is characterized as a long, narrow band of water vapor originating over an ocean. This phenomenon transports moisture from tropical regions towards northern latitudes as it flows through the atmosphere.
“If you’re planning to be on the roads for the Christmas holidays, please reconsider your plans,” said Ariel Cohen, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Los Angeles, during a Tuesday news conference.
“The threat posed by this storm is real and imminent,” he said.