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California's Peril: Flash Flooding and Heavy Snow Forecasted
Episode 10816th February 2026 • EM Morning Brief • Brian Colburn
00:00:00 00:05:48

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The principal focus of today's discussion pertains to the imminent Pacific Storm Train and its associated risks, particularly concerning flash flooding and fire weather conditions. We commence with a forecast highlighting a slight risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding across Central and Southern California, with the most significant impacts anticipated during the late morning to early evening hours. Furthermore, the storm system is poised to generate heavy mountain snow, thereby complicating travel in the Sierra Nevada and adjacent western ranges through midweek. As we traverse the landscape of weather alerts, we underscore the critical fire weather concerns emerging in the Central High Plains, where heightened vigilance is essential due to increasing winds and low humidity. In summary, the episode delineates the multifaceted weather challenges that warrant close attention and preparedness across various regions.

Takeaways:

  1. The Pacific Storm Train presents significant risks, notably in California, where flash flooding is a concern.
  2. Heavy mountain snow and challenging travel conditions are expected in the Sierra Nevada region through midweek.
  3. Fire weather poses a critical risk in the Central High Plains, necessitating operational support on Tuesday.
  4. Tornado watches and damaging winds have been reported in the Southeast, particularly affecting Louisiana and Mississippi.
  5. The Weather Prediction Center forecasts excessive rainfall and rapid runoff impacts in urban areas of Southern California.
  6. Ongoing storm systems are likely to produce hazardous conditions across various states, warranting vigilance and preparedness.

Sources

[WPC ERO Day 1 | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/ero.php?day=1&opt=curr]

[Cal OES | https://www.news.caloes.ca.gov/emergency-resources-prepositioned-ahead-of-state-wide-storm/]

[NOAA NCO CWD | https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/status/cwd/]

[AP (SE storms) | https://apnews.com/article/ed98b3ad57a2a59b0c61f4fc98e2b4d1]

[SPC Day 2 Convective Outlook | https://origin-west-www-spc.woc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html]

[AP (SE storms) | https://apnews.com/article/ed98b3ad57a2a59b0c61f4fc98e2b4d1]

[SPC Day 2 Convective Outlook | https://origin-west-www-spc.woc.noaa.gov/products/outlook/day2otlk.html]

[NOAA NCO CWD | https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/status/cwd/]

[AP (SE storms) | https://apnews.com/article/ed98b3ad57a2a59b0c61f4fc98e2b4d1]

[WPC Short Range Discussion | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd]

[NOAA NCO CWD | https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/status/cwd/]

[NOAA NCO CWD | https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/status/cwd/]

[NWS Norman (hazards) | https://www.weather.gov/oun]

[WPC Short Range Discussion | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd]

[NOAA NCO CWD | https://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/status/cwd/]

[NWS Fire Weather (portal) | https://www.weather.gov/fire/]

[WPC Short Range Discussion | https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd]

Transcripts

Speaker A:

Good morning.

Speaker A:

,:

Speaker A:

The Weather Prediction center flags a slight risk for flash flooding from heavy rain along parts of Central and Southern California, with the most impactful rain expected late morning through early evening and added concern for burn scars and urban drainage.

Speaker A:

The same system also brings heavy mountain snow and difficult travel in the Sierra Nevada and other western ranges into midweek.

Speaker A:

Away from the West, Fire weather becomes the next big watch NOAA's critical weather day Outlook signals critical support needs Tuesday for fire weather operations in the Central High Plains, with the potential to extend into Wednesday farther south as winds and low humidity alignment in the Southeast.

Speaker A:

The weekend stormline continues to produce damaging wind and tornado watch conditions in pockets from Louisiana and Mississippi toward Georgia and the Florida Panhandle tropics.

Speaker A:

Stay quiet.

Speaker A:

No active tropical cyclones are posted by the National Hurricane center and USGS shows no significant earthquakes in the past day feed let's run through the states.

Speaker A:

California is the lead today.

Speaker A:

Federal forecasters highlight a slight risk for excessive rainfall and flash flooding across portions of central and Southern California with peak impact late morning through early evening.

Speaker A:

Expect bursts of efficient rain rates, especially along the Central coast into the Transverse Ranges and into the northern Los Angeles metro where burn scars, steep terrain and urban areas are most prone to rapid runoff.

Speaker A:

Cal OES reports the state is pre positioning fire and rescue resources including engines, Swiftwater teams and urban search and rescue support in multiple counties ahead of the statewide storm window.

Speaker A:

Fire weather is the key concern building into Tuesday.

Speaker A:

NOAA's critical weather day Outlook calls for critical support Tuesday tied to fire weather operations in the Central High Plains with the possibility of extension into Wednesday to support broader operations across the central and southern High Plains.

Speaker A:

For Colorado, that means be ready for rapid fire spread potential where fuels are receptive and winds increase, especially on the Plains.

Speaker A:

Florida remains in the trailing edge of the Southeast storm pattern overnight into today.

Speaker A:

Tornado watch conditions and damaging wind potential have been reported in the Florida Panhandle as the storm line pushes east.

Speaker A:

The Storm Prediction Center's Day two outlook shows no organized severe areas for tomorrow, but today's lingering line can still produce brief, fast hitting impacts.

Speaker A:

Georgia stays in the active corridor as the Southeast storm line shifts east.

Speaker A:

Reports tied to the same system place parts of South Georgia under tornado watch conditions as the line moves through.

Speaker A:

While The SPC Day 2 outlook indicates no organized severe areas for tomorrow, today's residual threat is still capable of quick tornado spin ups and damaging gusts Kansas is in the fire weather readiness lane for Tuesday.

Speaker A:

NOAA's critical weather day Outlook flags critical support for fire weather operations in the central High Plains with possible extension into Wednesday.

Speaker A:

Louisiana continues to see impacts from the Southeast storm system and including damaging winds and localized tornado watch conditions.

Speaker A:

Reports from the Lake Charles area note storm damage, downed lines and infrastructure impacts while the broader line progresses.

Speaker A:

East Mississippi remains in the corridor for damaging winds and tornado watch conditions tied to the passing storm line.

Speaker A:

Nevada's main concern is western high elevation travel tied to the Pacific storm pattern and the Weather Prediction Center's Short Range discussion calls out heavy mountain snow in the Sierra and impacts extending into midweek.

Speaker A:

New Mexico is in the broader High Plains fire weather support picture as we head into Tuesday.

Speaker A:

NOAA's critical weather day Outlook signals critical support needs Tuesday for fire weather operations in the Central High Plains with possible extension into Wednesday into the southern High Plains.

Speaker A:

Oklahoma is in an elevated fire weather posture today into Tuesday.

Speaker A:

NOAA's Critical Weather Day Outlook flags Tuesday as critical for fire weather support in the Central High Plains and the National Weather Service office serving Oklahoma shows red flag warning coverage on its hazards map early this morning.

Speaker A:

Oregon is in the western storm track.

Speaker A:

The Weather Prediction Center's Short Range discussion calls for Pacific storms impacting the west through midweek, bringing gusty winds, low elevation rain and heavy mountain snow.

Speaker A:

Texas is in the fire weather risk corridor building into Tuesday, especially across the High Plains and near the Red River.

Speaker A:

NOAA's Critical Weather Day Outlook highlights critical support needs Tuesday tied to fire weather operations in the Central High Plains, with the potential to extend into Wednesday into the southern High Plains.

Speaker A:

Washington remains under the western storm pattern into midweek.

Speaker A:

The Weather Prediction Center's Short Range discussion calls out Pacific storms bringing gusty winds, rain at lower elevations and heavy mountain snow.

Speaker A:

Mountain travel conditions deteriorate quickly.

Speaker A:

All other states have no significant updates in the last 24 hours.

Speaker A:

That's the operational picture for February 16th.

Speaker A:

Stay safe.

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