First atmospheric river storm of the season targets California next week

A large area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will churn just off the West Coast next week and deliver rain and snow.

A major pattern change is set to deliver California’s first atmospheric river of the season next week. Significant rain and snow is in the forecast for the Golden State, while damp, dreary days are ahead for other parts of the West as signs of El Niño’s influence on the upcoming winter season emerge.

November got off to a wet start across the Pacific Northwest, but the rainy weather didn’t make it south into much

...place doesn’t necessarily guarantee a higher frequency of atmospheric river events.For example, the 2017 study also found thatatmospheric rivers are less likely to impact the western US during La Niña. But La Niña was firmly in place last winter when California was slammed by a dozen of the potent storms.