California
California May Face Major Flooding From Jan. 30: Weather Watch
The odds are rising that California and the West will be struck by a plume of moisture known as an atmospheric river from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, the US Climate Prediction Center said in a social media post.
The agency said there is 60% to 80% chance of above normal rain and snow along the West Coast and across the Southwest. Atmospheric rivers rise out of the Pacific and can land as much water onshore as flows through the mouth of the Mississippi River. While weaker events are beneficial, more powerful systems are known to cause widespread destruction and even death from flooding and mudslides.
A year ago a series of atmospheric rivers killed at least 22 people across California and caused $4.6 billion in damage and losses, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
“Hazardous, onshore high winds are likely to impact the West Coast as well January 30th to February 2nd, particularly the Pacific Northeast southward through much of California, which could lead to coastal erosion from persistently high waves,” the climate center said.
In addition to the heavy rains and snow, temperatures are set to rise across much of the contiguous US, with the highest chance for milder air to center on the upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
The kind of atmospheric flow necessary to drive such an event would mean mild temperatures will prevail across most of the Northern Hemisphere, said David Roth, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. Across the eastern US there are already signs winter’s grip is relaxing.
New York’s Central Park will reach a high of 56F (13.3 C) Friday with rain, the National Weather Service said. Washington will hit 65F, Boston 49F and Philadelphia 59F. The combination of mild air and rain will erase any snow left on the ground.
In other weather news:
UK: Another round of high winds and rain will sweep across the UK through the day as Jocelyn, a second large Atlantic storm, rushes by. Earlier this week the UK and Europe were battered by winter storm Isha. Amber wind warnings, meaning power outages are possible, trees could be toppled and roads blocked, are up around the Scottish coast. A less severe yellow warning for heavy rain is out for almost all of the UK with the exception of southeast England. In some exposed areas of northern Scotland, winds may gust to 80 miles per hour, said Alex Deakin, a meteorologist with the UK Met Office.
Australia: A tropical cyclone could strike Queensland’s coast near Ayr on Thursday into Friday bringing widespread flooding rain to the region. It will arrive as a Category 2 system on the five-step Australian scale. “And that could set the stage for a big flood event through inland parts of Queensland as we move into the weekend,” said Dean Narramore, a forecaster at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Tropical Cyclone warnings are up between Ayr and Mackay on Australia’s east coast as forecasters expect a storm to develop within the next day, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said.
To contact the author of this story:
Brian K Sullivan in Boston at bsullivan10@bloomberg.net
Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
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Long Beach city officials have confirmed California’s first human case of West Nile virus in 2026.
In a news release shared Friday, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services said that the person was hospitalized with “neuroinvasive illness” and has since been recovering at home.
“While there have been WNV positive mosquito detections in California, including in Long Beach, this is the first symptomatic case reported in California for the 2026 season,” the release said.
Health officials said that West Nile virus typically spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. While most people who get infected with WNV have no symptoms, one in 150 may develop more serious illnesses like brain inflammation, paralysis or death. Typical symptoms include fever, rash, body aches, headache, nausea and vomiting.
They advised anyone exhibiting such symptoms to seek immediate medical care.
“The risk of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases increases during hot weather, typically from June to October,” officials said. “People who are over 55 years old or have chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness.”
Acting Long Beach City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged residents to take several precautions to prevent infection, including:
- using insect repellent to prevent mosquito bites
- wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outdoors during dawn or dusk
- install or repair window screens
- remove standing water around their homes
- report increased mosquito activity so health officials can take action
People seeking further information or who wish to know more about how to protect themselves from mosquito bites was asked to contact the city’s mosquito hotline at 562-570-4132.
Health officials said the risk of West Nile virus and other mosquito-
borne diseases increases during hot weather, typically from June to October.
WNV spreads through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito.
Symptoms of may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and
headaches. Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may
develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation, paralysis or death.
Those who are over 55 years old or have chronic health conditions are
at higher risk for severe illness. People with these symptoms should seek
immediate medical care.
There is no vaccine or treatment for West Nile virus.
Acting City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged residents to take the
following precautions:
— Dump and drain standing water around your home.
— Prevent mosquito bites by applying insect repellent with EPA-
registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or lemon
eucalyptus before going outside.
— Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if spending time outside
during dawn and dusk.
— Install or repair door and window screens.
Additional information about mosquito prevention and West Nile virus
is available at longbeach.gov/mosquitoes.
California GOP delegates Roxanne Hoge and Elizabeth Barcohana join Trace Gallagher to discuss multiple issues impacting California.
California GOP delegates Roxanne Hoge and Elizabeth Barcohana dissect the state’s pressing issues with Trace Gallagher. They criticize the SF Giants’ ‘Pride Night’ controversy and players’ right to religious expression. The delegates also discuss Los Angeles’s economic decline and Sacramento’s expensive homeless campsite, highlighting concerns about over-regulation and social issues. They conclude by addressing California’s large-scale Medicaid fraud, suggesting a lack of accountability.
Oakdale’s first Pride event is moving forward this weekend after organizers changed venues following pushback over its original location and a planned drag performance.
Some residents pushed back over the event’s original location at Dorada Park and a planned drag performance.
“I also understand staff has issued a permit for a so-called Pride event,” one speaker said during the latest City Council meeting.
Another speaker raised concerns about the event being advertised as open to all ages, including children, and having a drag queen host.
After the public pushback, organizers moved the event indoors to the Bianchi Center.
“It was a huge upgrade to be able to provide a more accessible space in the heart of Oakdale,” said Ryan Hall, president of CalPride.
Hall said the idea to bring Pride to the city did not come from outside Oakdale, it came from people living there.
“That’s my place as a mom of rainbow kids, absolutely,” said Elizabeth May, owner of Sisters Coffee.
May’s coffee shop hosts a monthly LGBTQ+ social.
“I had a young man walk in here and say, ‘We don’t have anywhere to have a social here for LGBTQ.’ I said, ‘Heck yes,’” May said.
Still, the backlash has left parents like May concerned.
“How does it feel? Scary. I’m excited, but as a mom of a kid in the community, I’m nervous for them,” May said.
May said the venue change helped ease some of the tension.
“The different venue made a win-win situation for everyone. I was very proud of the kids for making that hard decision,” May said.
For organizers, the drag performance is part of the celebration.
“Enjoy some line dancing, enjoy some live music, enjoy the drag show, and then also enjoy community members and our local businesses, our local artists and partner organizations,” Hall said.
Oakdale Pride is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Entry is free.
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