A strong and prolonged atmospheric river is expected to affect northwest California this week, with moderate to locally heavy rainfall bringing the potential for rapid rises in rivers, streams and creeks across the region, the National Weather Service said. The atmospheric river—a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture originating from the Pacific—marks one of the strongest storms to hit the region this season. The river storm is expected to bring a deluge of torrential rain, flooding and hazardous conditions to the region later in the week. 

Other weather, drought and wildfire articles:

• San Francisco Chronicle: California weather: Strong atmospheric river to bring heavy rain, wind
• Newsweek: California faces atmospheric river deluge with up to 21 inches of rain
• Arizona Daily Star: Study: Hotter temps, not less rain, are biggest drought triggers for West
• Newsweek: ‘Bomb cyclone’ set to explode off US West Coast
• Newsweek: Winter weather warnings In 6 states as travel to become ‘extremely dangerous’
• The Mercury News: Is California’s fire season over? Depends where you live, experts say