‘Life-threatening’ storm system batters California, with flooding and high winds

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🗞️ Driving the news: California faced a massive storm fueled by an atmospheric river on Sunday, causing widespread damage, including power outages, flooding, and mandatory evacuations
• The storm affected both northern and southern regions, with hurricane-force wind warnings issued for the first time along the coast

🔭 The context: Approximately 36 million people were under flood watches as the storm brought not only heavy rain but also snow to mountain areas and high waves along the coast

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This event is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change, with scientists warning of the increasing likelihood of such conditions
• The atmospheric rivers, especially during El Niño years, reflect what future winters in California might look like as the world continues to warm

⏭️ What's next: With several more weeks of the wet season ahead, California could face additional major storms
• The state's reservoirs, already above average capacity, and the saturated ground increase the risk of flooding and infrastructure challenges

💬 One quote: “This tells us something about what California winters may look like increasingly in a warmer climate,” (climate scientist Daniel Swain)

📈 One stat: Nearly 850,000 homes and businesses were without power by late Sunday, indicating the storm's extensive impact on infrastructure and communities across California

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