WEATHER

From wildfires to tropical storm rains, parts of the West Coast continue to face extreme weather conditions this weekend

Sep 10, 2022, 4:00 PM

At least 5 million residents across California, Nevada and Arizona remain under flood watches throu...

JULIAN CA - SEPTEMBER 09:A sign posted for high winds on the Interstate 8 ,East of San Diego, CA, on September 9, 2022 Hurricane Kay, which produced winds up to 109 MPH in the Eastern part of San Diego County, downed several trees and power lines and caused flooding. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

(CNN) — As parts of the West grapple with destructive wildfires fueled by scorching temperatures, a storm that brought life-threatening flash flooding and powerful winds to Southern California on Friday will deliver more heavy rain over the weekend.

At least 5 million residents across California, Nevada and Arizona remain under flood watches through Saturday morning as post-tropical cyclone Kay drenches the coastline and further inland. An additional half inch of rain is forecast for the region Saturday.

San Diego County saw some of the heaviest rain totals Friday, with 5.08 inches on Mount Laguna and 4.61 inches in Ranchita, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service. The city received 0.61 inches of rain Friday, shattering its previous daily rainfall record of 0.09 inches set in 1976. The storm also caused some damage and flooded roads, officials said.

Kay will “continue to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to portions of the Desert Southwest into Southern California” through Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

Kay has weakened from its earlier tropical storm strength when it struck the US, which had followed its landfall in Mexico as a Category 1 hurricane on Thursday. It will continue to weaken as it moves west off the northern Baja coast, roughly 120 miles southwest of San Diego, according to CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam.

The downgraded storm system still has measured sustained winds of 40 mph, which had worried fire officials as the erratic Fairview Fire raged in Southern California. The fire has charred more than 28,000 acres since it started September 5, according to Cal Fire on Saturday.

At 40% containment, the fire has killed two civilians and injured another, according to officials. The blaze has also destroyed 13 buildings, including homes, and damaged four others. It threatens an additional 10,000 structures.

But there is some relief in store, officials said, as rainfall moves through.

“With the onset of the rain, the drought-stricken area has not only received much-needed precipitation, but has also aided firefighters by slowing the spread of the Fairview Fire,” Cal Fire said Friday.

Forecasts show the heatwave that has been baking millions in the West for more than a week and required residents to limit their electricity use is set to diminish this weekend.

“The record heat that has plagued large portions of the West over the past week is coming to an end,” the weather service added. “Friday will likely be the last day of record heat through the interior Valleys of California with temperatures this weekend falling to levels closer to average.”

It has been so hot throughout the region that some effects of anticipated rainfall were lessened even further, officials said.

“Because it has been so hot, we’re seeing some evaporation of rain before it hits the ground. This is also helping some of the gusty winds we are seeing as well,” weather officials in Los Angeles said.

Fire weather prompts power outages

While some residents in the region will see a respite from the heat this weekend, others in the Pacific Northwest are forecast to experience an elevated risk for dangerous fire activity, the weather service warned.

Farther north from the California coastline, this weekend’s warm temperatures paired with dry conditions may continue to threaten power outages in Oregon.

One power provider shut off electricity for 30,000 homes and businesses in Portland and Salem, Oregon, Friday to help reduce the risk of fire activity that could become dangerous.

The practice known as public safety shutoff is usually conducted in a limited area considered to be high risk of wildfire, Portland General Electric said. Other areas will also see outages due to “the imminent high winds, the extreme fire conditions currently found in Oregon,” the utility provider said.

Another 7,235 homes and businesses also experienced outages due to the hazardous fire weather conditions, according to provider Pacific Power.

“Over the course of the past two weeks, I’ve declared three fire conflagrations, as well as a statewide fire emergency to quickly marshal all available and necessary resources as wildfires arise,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said. “With seven active large fires in Oregon right now, more than 168,000 acres are burning across our state.”

A red flag warning — an alert for enhanced risk for fire activity due to weather conditions — is in effect for northwest Oregon and southwest Washington state through Saturday.

Wind gusts in those areas may range from 25 to 50 mph, potentially aiding the rapid spread of fires

Meanwhile, many parts of California will not be affected by the rains of Kay and remain at higher risk for extreme conditions.

The explosive Mosquito Fire in Northern California’s El Dorado and Placer counties has charred more than 33,000 acres and remained 0% contained Saturday, according to Cal Fire. Evacuations have been ordered and warnings have been issued for about a dozen communities.

“The fire spread significantly overnight due to extreme fire behavior and heavy smoke limited visibility. The fire made uphill runs with short-range spotting. Weather will be minimal winds and 21% relative humidity,” Cal Fire officials said in an update.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Weather

Weed block is used as a landscaping and xeriscaping project is installed in Layton on Thursday, Jun...

Allessandra Harris Gurr

Landscaping projects picking up pace as weather gets warmer

Jeff Mott, owner of Mott's Landscaping, said people often start big landscaping projects in the summertime. 

3 hours ago

A car is filled at a gas pump in Sandy on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Hurricane season could affect ga...

Britt Johnson

Hurricane season could mean bad news for Utah gas prices

Hurricane season is expected to be intense this year, and while none of them should hit Utah rising gas prices probably will. 

12 hours ago

snowpack...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah storm adding to snowpack that melted over weekend

A storm passing through Utah will increase the snowpack that melted this weekend when the sun came out in force.

4 days ago

Valley Rain and mountain snow...

Adam Small

Utah getting big delivery of valley rain, mountain snow Monday

Utah will see valley rain and mountain snow throughout Monday with temperatures in the 40s and 50s.

4 days ago

sunshine on cherry blossoms shown, april temperatures will be a little higher this year...

Clayre Scott

Salt Lake City hit the 80s, ties date’s record high temperature

The last time it was this warm on April 12 in Salt Lake was in 1936.

7 days ago

Warm weather will all for some of the Utah snowpack to begin melting off this weekend....

Adam Small

Utah temperatures warming up, strong snowpack set to start melting

Temperatures in Utah are going to get much warmer over the next few days, allowing for the snowpack we've accumulated to start melting off.

8 days ago

Sponsored Articles

a person dressed up as a nordic viking in a dragon boat resembling the bear lake monster...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Legend of the Bear Lake Monster

The Bear Lake monster has captivated people in the region for centuries, with tales that range from the believable to the bizarre.

...

Live Nation Concerts

All the artists coming to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre (formerly USANA Amp) this summer

Summer concerts are more than just entertainment; they’re a celebration of life, love, and connection.

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

From wildfires to tropical storm rains, parts of the West Coast continue to face extreme weather conditions this weekend