Bakersfield weather sits inside a multiday flood threat this week as rain, flooding and severe storms spread across seven states from California to Colorado. The Weather Prediction Center says the heaviest flooding risk arrives Wednesday overnight, with some areas facing rainfall rates as high as 2 inches per hour.
Southern California and Arizona
Millions are under a flood watch as bands of heavy rain move through California and the Four Corners region. Forecasters say the Wednesday night threat is highest across much of Arizona and New Mexico, along with portions of Colorado and Utah and Southern California, while severe storms remain likely across Arizona.
The Weather Prediction Center also expects an enhanced severe weather threat through Wednesday night for portions of Arizona, southern Utah, western New Mexico and coastal southern California. Along the Mogollon Rim, large hail, strong wind gusts and a couple tornadoes are expected, while the southern and central California Coast could also see strong wind gusts and an isolated tornado threat.
Thursday across the Desert Southwest
On Thursday, moisture continues to pump into the Southwest and keeps flood risk elevated on already saturated soils. The greatest risk moves out of California, but the threat remains for much of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, including Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson and Albuquerque.
Forecasters expect as much as 3 inches of rain across portions of the Desert Southwest, with isolated locations reaching 5 inches. That amount is far above a typical dry stretch and is enough to keep flash flooding, debris flows and landslides in play, especially where burn scars can shed water quickly.
Thursday also brings a severe weather threat for portions of the Desert Southwest and Four Corners region, with isolated storms capable of strong wind, hail and even a tornado. Arizona carries the greatest severe weather risk that day, while parts of the Sierra and Rockies could see the first significant snow of the season.
For readers in Bakersfield, the most important near-term question is how much rain falls locally and whether the heaviest bands set up over the city or nearby areas. The forecast already points to a fast-changing pattern, and the window for the highest flood risk is shortest where the storms pass hardest and fastest.
