Winter storm slams California

The atmospheric weather system that arrived on Monday is expected to dump at least 8 feet of snow on the highest peaks in California and Nevada. The National Weather Service has called the system “the most significant storm of the season.” Nearly all of California will get drenched with snow or rain. While the storms that suck moisture from the Pacific Ocean are typical for this season, many worry about flash floods and mudslides in areas scorched by the summer’s wildfires.

What are conditions like so far? On Tuesday morning, one mountain resort reported 17 inches of snow in one night. As of Tuesday morning, meteorologists recorded the heaviest rain in the San Fernando Valley and LA County mountains and foothills. Authorities issued evacuation orders for people living near burn scars in San Bernardino. The storm does spell good news for areas of California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah that are in extreme drought. Most Western water reservoirs rely on melted snow to fill them up in the spring.

Dig deeper: Read The Sift’s coverage of this year’s wildfire season out West.