Flooding Expected in California, and Chicago Could Receive 6 Inches of Snow This Weekend

A powerful storm is expected to batter parts of California with heavy rain and snow over the next few days, bringing flooding to a state that is still recovering from previous storms.

A winter storm is approaching the Chicago area and is expected to cause sloppy travel Thursday afternoon and evening.

Most of the area could get a slushy one to three inches of snow, but Lake and McHenry counties could get four to seven inches.

Snow Expected in California

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"With the next atmospheric river, California is now at high risk of flooding," Weather Channel meteorologist Mike Bettes said. "This is very likely to be dangerous and potentially life-threatening," as per USA Today.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for millions of people across the state.

The storm was expected to dump heavy rain at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations across the state.

A winter storm warning was also issued for parts of northern and central California, with some areas in the Sierra Nevada expecting up to six feet of snow and winds gusting up to 80 miles per hour.

Other parts of the state aren't expecting as much snow, but some mountainous areas in Shasta County, California, could see up to two feet of snow and winds of up to 45 miles per hour.

Southern California Is Under Flood Warning

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From parts of Northern California to the San Francisco Bay Area and south to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, a flood watch was in effect beginning Thursday and lasting through the weekend.

Runoff could cause river and stream flooding, as "a slow-moving atmospheric river storm system will result in many hours of steady moderate to heavy rain," according to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

Also Read: US Weather Forecast: Severe Weather Systems Poses Widespread Hazardous Travel from the West to the Great Lakes Region

Snow to fall during PM commute in Chicago

Expect a sloppy commute Thursday afternoon, particularly in the northern suburbs.

The worst of the weather will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. until midnight, as the heaviest snowfall is expected.

From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Boone, Central, and Northern Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lee, Ogle, Lake, Winnebago, and McHenry counties in Illinois. Thursday until 10:00 a.m. Friday.

From 3 p.m., a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Boone, DeKalb, Kane, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, and Winnebago counties. Thursday until 7:00 a.m. Friday.

Light snow showers may linger Friday morning, but they will be light and will not cause major problems for the morning commute.

Northern Cook, Central Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory beginning at 6 p.m. Until 7 a.m. on Thursday. Friday.

From 6 p.m., an Indiana Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the counties of Eastern St. Joseph, Elkhart, Northern La Porte, and Western St. Joseph. Until 9 a.m. on Thursday. On Friday, EST.

Wisconsin counties of Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, and Sheboygan are under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 p.m. Thursday until ten o'clock a.m. Friday.

According to ABC7 meteorologist Larry Mowry, a rain/snow mix will begin across the Chicago area around 2 p.m. between 2 and 4 p.m., with the transition to snow occurring earlier in the north suburbs near the Wisconsin state line.

With overnight temperatures ranging from 30 to 36 degrees and relatively warm road temperatures, snow accumulation on roadways could be delayed for several hours after the precipitation begins.