California Map Shows Rainfall Predictions as Storm Approaches

A forecast map from National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists shows that Southern California is bracing for more rain as a new storm approaches the Golden State this week.

Throughout the winter, California has battled a series of atmospheric rivers and other moisture-laden storms. The most recent one dumped up to 10 feet of snow in high-elevation areas of Northern California, and now meteorologists are forecasting more rain is on the way for the state's southern half.

On Monday, the NWS office in San Diego shared the rainfall predictions according to a map posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Ready for more rain? Maybe not but precipitation is expected with a new Pacific storm Wednesday afternoon through Thursday - here is the most likely totals #cawx #socal with some new snowfall above 5500 feet," the office wrote along with the map.

The storm is expected to move through Los Angeles earlier in the day on Wednesday before it arrives in the San Diego region.

Although the excessive precipitation has raised hopes that California's water crisis is finally over, it doesn't come without some severe consequences. San Diego battled torrential rains and catastrophic floods in January, when so much rain fell that it swept cars away. The city declared an emergency at the time.

Flooding is also a risk with the incoming rain because the soil is already saturated from past storms. However, NWS meteorologist Mark Moede told Newsweek that the approaching storm won't be as major as the one that devastated the city earlier this year with catastrophic floods and hours of heavy rain.

"It's a fairly fast-moving system," Moede said. "We could get a brief downpour that produces some local flooding."

San Diego has already surpassed its average annual rainfall amount in only five months since the water year began in October, along with several other California cities. The city is expecting to pick up another .7 inches of rain with the incoming storm, according to the map.

Since the start of October, San Diego has received 9.82 inches of rain. Its average annual rainfall is 9.79 inches. Riverside and Los Angeles also have already exceeded their average annual rainfall amounts this year.

NWS meteorologist Elizabeth Adams previously told Newsweek that San Diego exceeded its annual average rainfall last year as well, ending the year with just under 16 inches.

Meteorologists expect that the incoming storm will bring the most rain to San Ysrido, a district of San Diego on the border of Mexico. Up to an inch of rain is forecast there.

In addition to San Diego and San Ysrido, areas expecting to receive half an inch or more of rain include San Clemente, Palomar, Alpine, El Cajon, Mount Laguna and Campo.