Much of the state of California is bracing for a powerful winter storm today, accompanied by dangerous thunderstorms in areas with lower elevations, strong winds and heavy snowfall in the mountains, the Associated Press reported.
Jacob Spender, a meteorologist with the "National Weather Service" in Sacramento, urged people to take precautions in the coming days, advising them to prepare winter emergency kits, especially if they plan to travel, as winter storm warnings are in effect from southwestern Oregon to the Southern California border.
The "Pacific Gas and Electric" (Pacific Gas & Electric) said in a press release that it is using artificial intelligence and machine learning-enhanced weather models to determine where to send crews and equipment, such as power poles and transformers, ahead of the storm. The utility stressed that unlike most winter storms, the expected weather event will “develop in stages,” with several storm systems moving through the region, likely increasing the risk of wind, rain and snow.
Meanwhile, the California Department of Emergency Management said it is deploying fire and rescue personnel and resources to areas at highest risk for flooding, landslides and mudslides.
Other states are also preparing for a variety of dangerous weather events today. Residents in eastern Colorado were warned that they could be at risk of wildfires due to a combination of unusually high temperatures and gusty hot winds. The warnings are expected to continue through the week, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph (96 km/h) likely to hit the eastern plains of Colorado on Tuesday. Parts of Texas, New Mexico and Kansas have also been issued red warnings for extreme weather events.