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California Faces Multiple Extreme Weather Events At Same Time

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Kay Smythe News and Commentary Writer
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An atmospheric river, known as the “Pineapple Express,” and a “bomb cyclone” are heading for California, prompting mandatory evacuations over flooding risks.

Two developing storm systems have put California on high alert days after a different record-breaking storm event swept through the state, Fox Weather reported. It’s thought that the two storms hitting California on Wednesday through the rest of the week could create one of the most powerful weather events to hit the state in years.

The “Pineapple Express” atmospheric river is currently developing over Hawaii, and is anticipated to hit California after gathering more moisture over the Pacific Ocean, Fox Weather continued. It’s the second such river to strike the state in as many weeks, with the first bringing some 2-3 feet of snow over New Year’s weekend.

The storm received the name “Pineapple Express” as a result of its origin in Hawaii, Fox Weather noted. It developed in conjunction with a significant “bomb cyclone” weather system, which has rapidly intensified since Monday.

Flood watches are in place across much of California, with the state’s emergency operations center at its peak emergency level, according to Fox Weather. (RELATED: Another Massive Ice Storm To Hit Middle America, More Extreme Weather Expected Across US)

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flood warning over a number of rivers in California, predominantly in the San Francisco Bay Area. NWS told residents who live in the potential impact zones that Tuesday was the last day to prepare for the extreme weather.