The strongest atmospheric river to hit California in months is expected to dump rain and snow across the northern half of the state this week — also bringing high winds and possible flooding — before eventually making its way south, forecasters say. … The low pressure system off the Pacific Northwest coast driving this storm will begin rapidly intensifying Tuesday — reaching the threshold of a bomb cyclone — which will drastically increase its moisture and strength. Parts of northwest California will be under flood and high wind watches starting Tuesday, when persistent rain is expected to begin, dropping 4 to 8 inches over several days. Some ridgetops could see gusts up to 75 mph.

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• The Mercury News: Atmospheric river heading into Bay Area, will bring first major storms of winter rainy season
• CBS 13 (Sacramento): Northern California to be hit by freezing temperatures, atmospheric river this week
• SFGate: ‘Extraordinary’ bomb cyclone to bring up to 8 inches of rain to Calif.
• The Associated Press: ‘Bomb cyclone’ threatens Northern California and Pacific Northwest
• KQED: Bay Area braces for 5 days of rain from atmospheric river storm
• The Washington Post: Western states face powerful atmospheric river, potential bomb cyclone
• Newsweek: Atmospheric river risks flash flooding, mudslides in California burn zones
• CalOES news release: Strong atmospheric river moves into Northern California, bringing heavy rain and dangerous wind