By Reginald Stanley. Posted February 3, 2024, 10:04 PM.

As a potent, moisture-rich atmospheric river-like storm system takes aim at California over the next several days, the National Weather Service has issued a variety of watches and warnings for the region.

From Sunday through Tuesday, widespread precipitation is expected across the entire region, and the rain may be heavy at times. The heaviest precipitation is currently expected to fall on Monday and Tuesday. Storm totals by the end of Tuesday are forecast to be very high region-wide, with totals between 3 and 4 inches expected across favorable portions of the inland valleys and coasts. Some of the typically drier communities in the eastern valleys, as well as the southern half of San Diego County, could see between 2.5 and 3 inches of rain over the next 72 hours. Much higher storm totals are predicted for Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties to the northwest. South-facing mountain and foothill slopes will be particularly at risk for the heaviest precipitation. Snow levels will start at roughly 7000 feet above sea level Sunday, dropping to 5500 feet by Tuesday. Significant snow accumulations are expected above 8000 feet. Strong southerly winds are also accompanying the storm, with widespread gusty winds across the region Sunday afternoon. Additionally, there is a risk for isolated thunderstorms on Tuesday, a result of instability over the region following the passage of the storm's initial front.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the inland valleys from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning, due to the flood threat caused by excessive rainfall. This Flood Watch covers western Riverside County (including the Coachella Valley), southwestern San Bernardino County, the Santa Ana Mountains and San Diego County. A Wind Advisory was also issued for the Orange, Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with a High Wind Warning being issued for the transverse ranges. A rare Coastal Flood Advisory was also issued in Los Angeles County. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the San Gabriel, San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains through Tuesday evening.