Above Average Rainfall and Winter Storms Bring Destructive Mudslides to California

news image
Special Stories
17 Jan 2018 2:02 PM
From NOAA by Rebecca Lindsey Heavy rains led to tragedy in California this week, after a winter storm passing over Southern California led to mudslides and debris flows that killed at least 17 people. https://www.instagram.com/p/BdwJQ2Jn2M6/ [Credit: Instagram/Burbank Firefighters via Storyful] https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense/status/952012328857251840 This infrared satellite image shows the storm draped around Los Angeles on January 9, 2018. The coldest cloud tops (an indication of vigorous convection and rainfall) are in shades of light blue and white, while the relatively warm waters of the Pacific are pink. Very hot land surfaces in the desert basins of southernmost California and Baja, Mexico, are yellow. [Infrared image of California and surrounding states on January 9, 2018, from the NOAA/NASA Suomi-NPP satellite. A large comma-shaped winter storm is draped over the state, it's coldest cloud tops appearing in light blue and white. NOAA image by Dan Pisut, NOAA EVL. ] https://twitter.com/NOAASatellites/status/950838257172008960 Given the state’s hilly terrain and development patterns—homes perched on the edge of the cliffs and slopes to take advantage of stunning views—mudslides during the area’s wet winters are not uncommon. However, the devastating fires that scorched this same region in December likely increased the risk of erosion and may have made debris flows more dangerous. Following a severe fire, the soil can be coated with a waxy, water-repellent residue that prevents rain from penetrating the soil, and the increased run off sweeps up soil, rocks, and dead timber. Early estimates of precipitation amounts over this month suggest that rain and snow amounts in the southern part of the state (between Los Angeles and San Diego, on the border with Mexico) ranged from 150 to as much as 400 percent of normal for this time of year. It was a tragic end to what had previously been an extremely dry fall and winter to date. Edited for WeatherNation by Meteorologist Mace Michaels
All Weather News
More
Rounds of Severe Storms to Impact Great Plains and Midwest Through the Weekend

Rounds of Severe Storms to Impact Great Plains and Midwest Through the Weekend

A dynamic summer weather pattern is setting t

11 Jul 2025 3:20 AM
Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Storms Return From the Front Range to Texas

Moisture is moving back into the Central and

11 Jul 2025 3:00 AM
Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

Medium Range Tropics Forecast Favors Gulf, CSU Updates Seasonal Forecast

While the Atlantic appears quiet, conditions

11 Jul 2025 2:40 AM
Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

Severe Thunderstorms Expected Across the East Coast

The severe weather and flood threat continues

11 Jul 2025 2:35 AM
Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

Timeline: How Catastrophic Flooding Unfolded in Texas Hill Country

TEXAS - Catastrophic flooding devastated port

10 Jul 2025 10:00 AM
Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

Ruidoso Flash Flooding - Record Crest for the Rio Ruidoso River

A slow-moving monsoonal thunderstorm develope

10 Jul 2025 1:55 AM
Dangerous Heat Building Out West

Dangerous Heat Building Out West

WEST - Heat alerts have been issued across th

9 Jul 2025 9:00 AM