WEST COAST - Amid a strong El Niño, a series of intense atmospheric rivers is set to hit the West Coast. Storms were set to strike starting Friday, and they could possibly last into February, leaving a trail of heavy rain and snow.

The storm was projected to make landfall on the California-Oregon border, with a second storm following close behind set to hit the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, reporting from The Washington Post explained. However, the strongest system is forecasted to make landfall Tuesday in British Columbia, eventually moving south toward Southern California, bringing heavy rain, snow, and high winds.

As these storms land, a moisture surge in the Pacific Northwest and western Canada could lead to 5–6 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. In some areas, storms could reach top-tier levels of 4 and 5 on the atmospheric river scale, signaling mostly hazardous rainfall conditions.

More than a foot of rain could fall on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington over the next week, and warmer temperatures and high snow levels could lead to quick rises on area rivers.

An atmospheric river is forecasted to bring heavy rain and snow to California later this week. Weather models also suggest that the first ten days of February could be wet and snowy for the state. An extended west-to-east jet stream typical during El Niño could steer warm storms into the state, tapping into a deep moisture plume from Hawaii.

With parts of the West Coast facing water shortages, these storms could bring a much-needed injection of moisture. However, we are left wondering how these systems will affect prominent ag regions.

AndNowUKnow will bring you more details as they become available.