A Powerful Pineapple Express Storm to Bring a Wet and White Christmas to California
A powerful Pineapple Express storm is expected to hit California, bringing with it a wet, white, and potentially wild Christmas. The storm is forecasted to deliver high amounts of rain to the Los Angeles area, with 2 to 4 inches expected on the coast and in the valleys between December 24 and 26, according to Robbie Munroe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Oxnard. This could lead to a soggy slog for those hitting the road to visit friends or family during the holiday season.
The storm’s impact is still uncertain, but there’s a 50% chance of the forecasted scenario coming to pass. Additionally, there’s a 30% chance of more moderate rainfall, with 1 to 2 inches expected on the coast and in the valleys, and a 10% chance of “very high” amounts, with 4 or more inches expected in those areas. The last time it rained on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in downtown Los Angeles was in 2021, when 0.83 inches fell over the two days.
(National Weather Service)
Multiple Storm Systems Expected
The Christmas week storm could be the first of a sequence, with one or even two more looming in its wake. “This might be the first of two or three storm systems,” Munroe said. The storms are expected to bring significant amounts of rain, with the potential for flooding and debris flows. The San Francisco Bay Area is expected to see its first in a series of Christmas week storms on Sunday, potentially snarling holiday travel.
The storm is expected to come from the tropics southwest of the California coast, and it’s unclear whether it will bring enough cold air to lower snow levels. “This system will be drawing up copious amounts of subtropical moisture from the south,” said Bryan Allegretto, a weather blogger. The temperature of the storm could affect travel through key corridors, with a colder storm potentially causing snow to accumulate on the Grapevine section of the 5 Freeway and the Tehachapi Pass.
Impact on Travel and Ski Resorts
The storm’s impact on travel and ski resorts is still uncertain. In Orange County, the Inland Empire, and San Diego County, the heaviest precipitation is expected later on Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day. However, if the system stalls or remains further off the coast, the heaviest rainfall
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