California Finally Sees A Break In Rain And Mountain Snow After Latest Round Of Moisture (Recap)

Where, When Severe Storms Can Impact Friday Plans

The New Year brought with it yet another round of rain and mountain snowfall for California.

Here is some of the notable information about the situation.

By the morning of January 5, three-day rain totals were between 4 and 5 inches in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and along parts of the central coast. Some totals from 6 to 10 inches were reported in the coastal ranges of far northwest California and in some Sierra foothill locations below snow level.

Just over 100 reports of flash flooding came in from the state between January 2 and 5, and over two dozen reports of landslides and debris flows were also logged by the National Weather Service.

King Tides Impacts Exacerbated Flooding

If the rounds of rain, snow and gusty winds weren’t bad enough, California was also being impacted by King Tides.

King Tides typically occur when the moon is near full and at its closest point to Earth and can create devastating storm surge.

Parts of the Bay Area saw record high tides on Saturday.

(MORE: King Tides)

Above Average Rainfall

Winter is the rainy season across the West, so if there were no rainfall, we would have a problem.

But, if you are wondering if it has been more than normal, you are correct.

Downtown Los Angeles has seen over 14 inches of rainfall between October 1 and January 8. Their average is just over 4 inches. In fact, this is their fourth wettest rainy season-to-date through January 8, wettest in 21 years. A large portion of this rainfall fell the week of Christmas (see below graphic).

(MORE: Atmospheric River Recap)

Downtown San Francisco has seen over 11 inches of rainfall between October 1 and January 8. Although not as impressive as Los Angeles, the city is still running over 2 inches above average.

Redding has seen over 18 inches of rainfall between Octobefr 1 and January 5, which is over 5 inches above average.

Snowpack Recovering

The California Snowpack is essential, not just for skiers but for the fresh water supply for the state. Runoff from Sierra snowpack once it melts in spring and summer is typically responsible for about 30% of the state's water

And when the snowpack is underperforming, concern mounts.

This year was not off to a good start.

On December 19, 2025, the snowpack was just 12% of where it should have been, largely due to the above-average warmth that has been persisting across parts of the West this winter. The warmth only allowed snowfall across the highest elevations.

This pattern has shifted, and as of January 5, 2026, the snowpack has jumped to 90% of normal. Nature has been doing its part to help bring the snowpack up to where it should be.

Rob Shackelford is a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.