‘State of Extremes': What to Make of California's Weather
There's no easy way to explain the odd weather California has experienced over the past two years, but NBC4 Meteorologist Anthony Yanez is taking a crack at it.
By Anthony Yanez ••
A dry El Niño year followed by a wet start to what is expected to be a dry year in Southern California has raised questions about California's climate.
California is a state of extremes when it comes to precipitation, which has alternated between drought and excessive rain throughout recorded history.
Los Angeles, for example, has an average of 15 inches of rain a year, even though the city rarely nears that amount. In the past 30 years, Los Angeles has gone from extremely dry years to well above average years of rain, which results in the 15-inch average overall.
Last winter, Southern California braced for the potential of heavy rain due to significantly strong El Niño climate patterns, but the downpours did not come.
AP
A worker keeps watch on a sinkhole Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Studio City, north of Los Angeles, Calif, Calif. Two vehicles fell into the 20-foot sinkhole on Friday night and firefighters had to rescue one woman who escaped her car but was found standing on her overturned vehicle. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
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Storm clouds form over the Hollywood Freeway in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. Wet weather has returned to California with the first in a new series of rainstorms moving across the northern half of the state while the south awaits a tempest that forecasters say could be the strongest in years if not decades. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
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A man dressed in rain coat rides his bike in the rain in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. A powerful Pacific storm blew into southern and central California on Friday with wind-driven heavy rains, triggering calls for evacuations, causing damage and injury as trees toppled and disrupting travel and outdoor events. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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Inspectors examine a sinkhole Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Studio City, north of Los Angeles, Calif, Calif. Two vehicles fell into the 20-foot sinkhole on Friday night and firefighters had to rescue one woman who escaped her car but was found standing on her overturned vehicle. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
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SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: The busy I-5 freeway is shut down in both direction because of flooding as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from area denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: A firefighter carries a woman from her car after it was caught in street flooding as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from areas denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: A firefighter carries a woman from her car after it was caught in street flooding as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from areas denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
Mud from earlier storms is seen in a wash above Melcanyon Road in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a San Gabriel Mountains burn area known as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
AP
K-rail, sand bags and other barriers are set up to block the flow of mud in a wash above Melcanyon Road in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a San Gabriel Mountains burn area known as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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A man records high waves with his smartphone while standing on a sand berm Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Seal Beach, Calif. A powerful Pacific storm blew into southern and central California on Friday, unleashing wind-driven heavy rains. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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A man struggles against gusty wind and heavy rain as he walks along a pier Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Huntington Beach, Calif. A major Pacific storm has unleashed downpours and fierce gusts on Southern California, triggering flash flood warnings and other problems. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Getty Images
SUN VALLEY, CA - FEBRUARY 17: A man wears plastic bags while looking at a flooded street as a powerful storm moves across Southern California on February 17, 2017 in Sun Valley, California. After years of severe drought, heavy winter rains have come to the state, and with them, the issuance of flash flood watches in Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from Duarte, California for fear of flash flooding from area denuded by a wildfire last year. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
A Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy watches mud and debris flowing past a barrier and down a street protected by K-rails in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a burn area know as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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Downed trees and power lines are viewed near a school in downtown Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. A major Pacific storm has unleashed downpours and fierce gusts on Southern California, triggering flash flood warnings and other problems. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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Waves crash against a pier Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, in Seal Beach, Calif. A major Pacific storm has unleashed downpours and fierce gusts on Southern California, triggering flash flood warnings and other problems. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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With charred foliage seen in the foreground, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies patrol a road lined with K-rail and other barriers in Duarte, Calif., in a threatened area below a burn area known as the Fish Fire, as a powerful storm moves into Southern California, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. The saturated state faces a new round of wet weather that could trigger flooding and debris flows. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
Storm clouds build over Santa Monica Friday Feb. 17, 2017.
Jonathan Lloyd/KNBC-TV
A view of the river channel outside the Brokaw News Center in Universal City Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017 (left) and Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 after morning rain.
AP
Jerry Rodriguez, left, shares a rain poncho with his girlfriend, Lilyana Del Villar, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
NewsChopper4
Southern California woke up to a blanket of dense fog on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017.
AP
Pedestrians cross a rainy street in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017. California's winter keeps getting wetter as the first in the latest round of storms moves ashore, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds. The National Weather Service says rain is making for slick roads and reduced visibility for commuters across Southern California. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
David Darmstandler
A large tree fell on a Wienerschnitzel restaurant in Modesto, CA during a powerful storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
A car sits submerged in water on the Century (110) Freeway in Carson during a downpour on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
David Robinson
This rare waterfall appears when it pours in Dana Point. Photo from David Robinson.
Noah Olson
Surfing in a flooded street after the Sunday Jan. 22, 2017 storm.
Pamela Rodgers
Hail covered this street in Chino Monday Jan. 24, 2017.
Joey Hunter
Water crosses a road after the Sunday Jan. 23, 2017 storm in San Jacinto.
Ricky Bonilla
A break between January storms offered an opportunity to dig out in Big Bear.
Sharon Weissman
Long Beach streets turned into a water playground Sunday Jan. 23, 2017.
Caltrans District 7
SR34/5th Street was closed in Camarillo due to a powerful storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Ashley Reid
Flooding didn't stop these two from getting around in Anaheim.
Jessica Rice
A massive tree fell onto Glendora Avenue in Glendora during a powerful storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Troy McLaurin
A rockslide left debris in a southbound lane of Kanan Dume Road in Malibu as a powerful storm hit Southern California on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Evelyn mendez
Floodwaters on the rise in Wilmington.
Caltrans District 7
SR34/5th Street was closed in Camarillo due to a powerful storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Jessica Alvarez
A flooded street in Santa Fe Springs.
Kylie brown
A waterfall from runoff in Dana Point Harbor.
User
A tree fell on a house during weekend storms in Corona.
Dianna
Triunfo Canyon in Agoura saw erosion after the January storms.
Caltrans
A boulder closed State Route 27 at Old Topanga Road after it rolled down a hillside Sunday Jan. 22, 2017.
KNBC-TV
Some SoCal residents used the flooded streets to surf and boogie board on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
A tree damaged a minivan in Long Beach after the storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
NBC4 user Elizabeth Morrell writes, "the one day we happen to be in LA is the one day when it's the wettest it's been in 7 years."
The Long Beach (710) Freeway was closed near Pacific Coast Highway due to flooding from a major storm on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Roads and freeways were shut down during a major downpour in Southern California on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
Los Angeles County Public Works
Hasley Canyon Road at Del Valle in Val Verde was closed due to local flooding on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017.
AP
A pedestrian walks under the rain downtown Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017. The second in a trio of storms has arrived in California. Rain, heavy at times, is overspreading the state early Friday and a flash flood warning has been issued for southeastern Sonoma County. Storm warnings are posted up and down the Sierra Nevada and across the mountains of Southern California. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
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A Victorian home is covered with a plastic tarp to protect it from the rain in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017. California is getting soaked with series of heavy storms. A second storm will arrive Thursday night and could drop another 2 inches of rain and up to 3 inches in LA-area foothills by Saturday, forecasters said. Forecasters cautioned that mud and debris flows could occur if heavy rains fell on wildfire burn scars. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
AP
Raindrops bead upon a windshield as a pedestrian walks through rain in downtown Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 20, 2017.
Jonathan Lloyd/KNBC-TV
A view of the Observatory and downtown Los Angeles from Mount Hollywood between storms Thursday Jan. 19, 2017.
Khallid Shabazz/KNBC-TV
Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach flooded Thursday Jan. 19, 2017 after an overnight rainstorm.
Clouds over Seal Beach after a storm passed through early Thursday Jan. 19, 2017.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
Clouds over Seal Beach after a storm passed through early Thursday Jan. 19, 2017.
Steven Ybarra
Looking north from Ridgecrest, California Jan. 11, 2017.
Jonathan Gonazlez/KNBC-TV
Mud and water wash down from the Sand Canyon burn area near Santa Clarita Monday Jan. 9, 2017.
Christi and Dan Suban
Calm waters up against the mountains gives us a mirror image in Lake Elsinore.
Kathryn Cox
This photo was taken in Mussel Shoals, looking toward Santa Barbara on Saturday Jan. 7, 2017.
Jack Richards
Sunset at Rincon, Ventura.
Matt Kazmer
Light broke through the clouds on a dreary New Years Eve Day to create a full bright rainbow in Moorpark, California.
Bob Carey
We had a full rainbow in Thousand Oaks
Wiley
Last Rainbow of 2016 appears over Malibu.
Johnny Blue
Cloudy Day The view of the Inland Empire from Big Bear Mountain. @Blues.Photography on Instagram
Sean Browning/KNBC-TV
A view of the LA River through Universal City Thursday Dec. 29, 2016 after a night of showers.
Jonathan Gonzalez/KNBC-TV
A tree fell on a Westwood street during a Friday Dec. 30, 2016 storm.
Loudlabs News
Lightning strikes in Malibu on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016.
Jonathan Madrid
Santa grabs a snowboard in Big Bear.
Ron Davis
"So much for my morning coffee on the porch," says Ron Davis.
Ahmed Rafi
A double rainbow shines over Bellflower Dec. 22, 2016.
Amy
A rainbow as seen from Lakewood.
Barbara Chamberlin
Rain on the Pacific horizon, as seen from San Clemente, Wednesday Dec. 21, 2016
Michelle Mo
Rainbows over downtown Los Angeles Dec. 22, 2016.
Instagram user @cr8ative.minds
Sunshine peeks through the clouds in Hemet.
Instagram user @ginnigabu
This rainbow was spotted "in the middle of the desert" by NBC4 Instagram user @ginnigabu.
Instagram user @val_di_martino
Dark clouds loomed over the pier in Manhattan Beach after it rained this December.
Instagram user @jasperdejesus
Rain puddles show the reflection of the Walt Disney Concert Hall and gray skies hanging over it.
@Fragola_Life
A rainbow beams over Los Angeles in this photo shared by Instagram user @Fragola_Life.
Instagram user @venice_life600
Rain puddles reflect a sunset on the street in Venice Beach.
Instagram user @riversidetoday
The sidewalks were wet after it rained in downtown Redlands.
Aaron Axelrod
As Southern California sunsets go, this one was up there. Aaron Axelrod captured this image Tuesday Dec. 20, 2016.
Michelle Mo
Michelle Mo captured this photo of a series of rainbows near downtown Los Angeles.
laura mckenzie
Laura McKenzie sent this photo following a December storm.
Rozanne A Kraft
Rainbow over the Coachella Balley Hi...I took this yesterday on our way back to Temecula from Palm Desert. I took it with my iPhone. Rozanne Kraft Temecula, CA
Roberta Chavez
Rainy day colors over Barstow.
Robert
Autumn colors in Perris.
Rick T
A December sunset in Orange County.
Julian
A car is stuck in the mud Friday Dec. 16, 2016 in Duarte.
Julian
A car is stuck in the mud Friday Dec. 16, 2016 in Duarte.
Duarte USD
A muddy road meant school was closed in Duarte Friday Dec. 16, 2016 after an overnight storm.
Jeff Jay
Jeff Jay took a snap of the morning rain in Temecula on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.
Dan Kacvinski
Light reflected off the wet roads of Venice on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.
Loudlabs News
Downpour from the strongest storm of the season slicked up the 10 Freeway in downtown LA on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016.
Erika Thompson
Erika Thompson provided this image of the sunrise before the storm Thursday Dec. 15, 2016 in Riverside.
Nick Karavedas
Nick Karavedas snapped this photo early Thursday Dec. 15, 2016 on the eastbound 60 Freeway.
John Donaghy
John Donaghy provided this shot of the sunrise over Perris Thursday Dec. 15, 2016.
Dano
Arch Rock Little Corona del Mar sunset, captured Sunday Dec. 11, 2016.
Jolene wheeler
Jolene Wheeler captured this shot of the sunset from Newport Beach Monday Dec. 12, 2016.
NewsChopper4
NewsChopper4 captured this view of a rainbow above the Hollywood sign on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016.
Aal Visser
View of the morning sky over Palmdale Lake.
KNBC-TV
Snow in Big Bear on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016.
Hay Tanning
Lightning Storm North of Downtown 5am lighting Strike north of Downtown Los Angeles on October 24, 2016. Shot from Baldwin Vista using a Nikon P900
Greg Traver
This man decided to taste the rainbow himself in Chino.
Jonathan Lloyd
A flag on top of Cahuenga Peak flaps in the wind Saturday Nov. 20, 2016 ahead of a weekend storm in Southern California.
Kristen Halvorsen
Rain clouds loom over Catalina Island.
Snow in Big Bear on Monday Nov. 21, 2016.
Michael Lee
This view of the Super Moon over the San Bernardino Mountains was taken looking looking West from Hwy 330 toward the San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains.
cameronfeldhaus
Raindrops cover a car windshield on Hollywood Boulevard on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016.
Trevor Patience
This rainbow was spotted over San Juan Capistrano.
whatsacrakin
A close-up of the rain falling in South Central Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016.
Al Reinig
A rainbow spotted in San Jacinto.
Dark clouds hang over Southern California.
LA County Public Works
Road closed at Hasley Canyon and Del Valle in Castaic.
Twitter/ @Luevano1
A car was caught in a flood on Feb. 17 near NB 5 at Lankershim.
This year, Southern California is in a La Niña or neutral weather pattern, both of which slant dry for California and especially for Southern California. There is a 70 percent chance California will experience a dry year, leaving a 30 percent chance the state will be above average in rain levels.
In Southern California, there is not a weak La Niña pattern that is well above average.
So, why has California experienced such a wet start to 2017?
Instead of seeing dry conditions, Southern California is seeing its wettest winter since 2010.
The storms in the past two months have recouped 37 percent of the state's 5-year snow and water deficits. Precipitation is more than 200 percent of average and the Sierra Nevada snowpack, a vital part of the state's water supply, is looking great.
Carlos Fimbres
Hot air balloons in Temecula are seen floating in front of snow-covered mountains after a November 2019 storm.
Arthur Doyle
A drone view of the snow cover at Lake Arrowhead Village after a November 2019 storm.
Caitlin Brown
Holiday travelers encountered some stunning sights in Southern California's mountains after a November 2019 storm.
Stu Marzell
A view of the snow-covered mountains in the distance as seen from Hacienda Heights Dec. 2, 2019.
Ken Kilar
Two cars are buried under snow off Highway 330 from Big Bear during a late November 2019 snowstorm.
Suzann Reina
A snowy scene after a late November 2019 storm in the Palmdale area.
Snow Sports PR/John Brice
Snow blanketed Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
As two storm systems moved through Southern California, Wrightwood got a healthy dusting of snow Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
It's not yet winter, but after a storm rolled through the region, Wrightwood is getting ready for the holidays Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
It's not the inside of a snow globe -- it's Wrightwood Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
Snow is coming down in Wrightwood Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
A couple of inches of snow layered tables in Wrightwood Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
Wrightwood will make you feel merry and bright Nov. 21, 2019.
Snow Sports PR/John Brice
Snow blanketed Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019.
Alex Vasquez
Caltrans asked drivers to use extra caution in mountain areas. Here is a view of snow covered roads in Mount Baldy on Wednesday. Nov. 20, 2019.
NBCLA
A screengrab from our Big Bear Camera shows the first significant snowfall of the year on Wednesday Nov. 20, 2019.
BBMR
Footsteps appear in the snow in Big Bear in March 2019.
BBMR
A view of Big Bear Mountain Resort in March 2019.
AP
A crowd of skiers is seen Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Wrightwood, Calif. A winter storm swept through the Southwest and brought a rare snowfall to the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains above Malibu in California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Visitors gather at a sledding hill in the aftermath of a snow storm Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Wrightwood, Calif. A winter storm swept through the Southwest and brought a rare snowfall to the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains above Malibu in California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Visitors play in the snow Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Wrightwood, Calif. A winter storm swept through the Southwest and brought a rare snowfall to the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains above Malibu in California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
A visitor sits on a park bench under a snow-covered landscape Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, in Wrightwood, Calif. A winter storm swept through the Southwest and brought a rare snowfall to the Las Vegas Strip and the mountains above Malibu in California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Ron Lyon
The view from Long Beach Harbor to Mount Baldy in February 2019.
Victoria Wood
A view of Lake Arrowhead in February 2019.
Victoria Wood
Lake Arrowhead after another fresh coat of snow.
WESH
Snow cover the Acton area north of Los Angeles Thursday Feb. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard/KNBC-TV
Snow cover the Acton area north of Los Angeles Thursday Feb. 21, 2019.
AP
FILE - This Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 file photo shows California's mountains glistening with snow behind the Los Angeles skyline and homes above a normally-brown hillside. In just a matter of weeks, a very wet winter has greatly reduced drought conditions in California as a series of storms coated mountains with heavy blankets of snow and unleashed drenching rains. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 that about a third of the state has no significant dryness and only about 10 percent of the state falls into categories of drought. (AP Photo/Damian Doverganes, File)
michael Freitas
Snow in Idyllwild.
AP
Michael Monsivais, left, makes a snow man with the help of his girlfriend Torrie Martinez at Fort Tejon State Historic Park, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, in Lebec, Calif. A series of winter storms socked the U.S west with unusual snow also falling in Hawaii and parts of Southern California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
A young visitor walks along a snow covered trail Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, near Lebec, Calif. A series of winter storms socked the U.S west with unusual snow also falling in Hawaii and parts of Southern California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Traffic makes its away along Interstate 5, Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, near Gorman, Calif. A series of winter storms socked the U.S west with unusual snow falling in Hawaii and parts of Southern California. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
AP
Fresh snow coats Mount Wilson above Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, after the latest in a series of storms that have given California a very wet winter. The National Weather Service said rainfall in January for downtown Los Angeles was 191 percent of normal. (AP Photo/John Antczak)
Mt. Baldy Fire Department
A snowy lane on Mt. Baldy following a February snowfall.
Kimi Caldwell
Snow-capped mountains are seen behind palm trees in Orange.
Tony Shin/KNBC-TV
Pictured Feb. 6, 2019, these snow-capped peaks above Corona and Lake Elsinore were shrouded in smoke from the Holy Fire in August.
Thomas Pompeo
After sunrise at Mono Lake, Tufa State Natural Reserve Jan. 31, 2019.
Jared Meyer
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Mammoth Mountain Resort
That's a car under all that powder. Only the windshield wipers are popping up through the snow.
Scott Paul
A view of snow in the mountains as seen looking north from La Habra Jan. 13, 2019.
Shaeba Mathew
A view of an icy Big Bear Lake on Jan. 1, 2019.
Shaeba Mathew
A view of an icy Big Bear Lake on Jan. 1, 2019.
Big Bear Mountain Resort
Big Bear Mountain Resort is pictured at sunrise Friday Nov. 30, 2018 after a day of snowfall in Southern California's mountains.
NBC 7 San Diego
Big Bear Mountain Resort is pictured at sunrise Friday Nov. 30, 2018 after a day of snowfall in Southern California's mountains.
Tony Shin/KNBC-TV
NBC4's Tony Shin captured this fresh coast of snow in Big Bear Sunday Feb. 26, 2017.
Ricky Bonilla
A break between January storms provided an opportunity to dig out in Big Bear Monday Jan. 23, 2017.
Brian Johnson
A dusting of snow in the mountains, as seen from the Sand Canyon area Monday Jan. 23, 2017.
Kathy
Sugarloaf Snow Day Sugarloaf, Big Bear City
Bob Torrez/Snow Valley
A machine shovels snow at the Snow Valley Mountain Resort in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Running Springs on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.
Bob Torrez/Snow Valley
People are spotted skiing down a hill at the Snow Valley Mountain Resort in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Running Springs on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017.
Johnny Blue
Little French bulldog Dinho exploring for his first time in snow at Big Bear.
Johnny Blue
A trail leading to Snow Summit in Big Bear
KNBC-TV
A fresh coating of snow Monday Nov. 21, 2016 in Big Bear.
Rod Hewitt
A view of snowcapped mountains from the high desert north of Los Angeles.
A fresh coating of snow Monday Nov. 21, 2016 in Big Bear.
A Taylor Peck
A blanket of snow covers Lake Arrowhead on March 30, 2016.
W Taylor Peck
A tree is covered in snow on March 30, 2016 after a line of storms blew through Southern California, dumping a lot of fresh powder on the mountains.
W Taylor Peck
Residents living in the area say it doesn't snow a lot this late in the year.
W Taylor Peck
A serene image after a storm hits Southern California on March 29, 2016, leaving areas like Lake Arrowhead and Wrightwood with snow.
Toni Guinyard, KNBC-TV
Snow caps the mountains north of Los Angeles after an early March 2016 storm.
Lynne Tucker
Snow in the Southern California mountains after an early March 2016 storm.
dj
Snow blanketed Forest Falls after a March 2016 storm.
AP
A light coating of snow on the San Gabriel Mountains in January 2016.
Lynn Tucker
Lynne Tucker sent this photo of snow dotting the mountains near Palm Springs.
James Win
James Win sent in this photo of a winter wonderland in Lake Arrowhead on January 7, 2016.
Pat Durkin
Pat Durkin sent a pano view of snow-capped mountains.
Debbie Callin
Debbie Callin sent us this image of snow in the mountains as seen from Banning Jan. 6, 2016.
Rick Flanders
Rick Flanders provided this image of snow in Idyllwild on Jan. 6, 2016.
KNBC-TV
Snow Summit snow in January 2016.
Martha Castro
View from Fontana, Jan. 8, 2015.
Toni Guinyard
A nice dusting of snow in Wrightwood Nov. 21, 2019.
Toni Guinyard
Wrightwood is looking like a winter wonderland Nov. 21, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Dakota Snider/ Visit Mammoth
After two more feet of snow fell over the weekend, Mammoth Mountain was completely open top-to-bottom, with the most skiable acres currently open in the country, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
There are several factors in play that can help explain why this is happening.
Last year, the water in the Pacific Ocean was so warm that it affected the jet stream and moved the heavy rain to the Pacific Northwest and Northern California.
This winter, numerous atmospheric rivers or a Pineapple Express have brought a series of downpours to Southern California. This type of pattern can occur at any time regardless of an El Niño, La Niña or neutral pattern.
These rivers of atmospheric moisture played a large role in the flooding this year on Jan. 22, but have also caused much of the devastating flooding in California's history.
The mega flood of 1862 was caused by an intense atmospheric river, and has a return period of 100 to 200 years, meaning it will happen again.
Will climate change affect weather in California?
The latest research shows that in a warming planet, droughts will become more severe and heavy rain events will occur more often.
Southern California experienced the driest 5-year stretch ever recorded before it started getting pummeled by storms in December. According to tree ring data, it may have been the driest stretch in 1,000 years.
Getty
These composite images show California's dramatic change from 2014 to 2017, when winter storms brought historic rainfall to drought-stricken areas.
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Brown's Ravine Marina at Folsom Lake in El Dorado County, California on Nov. 1, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of Water Resources
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Brown's Ravine Marina located on the south shore of Folsom Lake in El Dorado County, California. The lake was at 78 percent of total capacity or 109 percent of historical capacity. Photo taken on April 21, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of WaternResources
California Department of Water Resources
An aerial view of Folsom Lake at 78 percent of total capacity or 109 percent of historical capacity. Photo taken on April 21, 2017. Kelly M. Grow/ California Department of WaternResources
California Department of Water Resources
A view from the Lake Oroville flood control spillway looking east over the lake waters at an elevation 810.80 feet. Photo taken July 10, 2017. Dale Kolke / California Department of Water Resources, FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
Getty Images
In this composite image a comparison has been made between a view of California during severe drought in 2014 (top) and during the week that the majority of the state's drought emergency is due to be lifted (bottom).
AP
Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, crosses a snow covered meadow after conducting the second manual snow survey of the season at at Phillips Station Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Fog and mist shroud the Sierra Nevada, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. The California Department of Water Resources held the second manual snow survey Thursday at nearby Phillips station. The results -- way above average snowpack with a statewide reading of 173 percent of normal.
AP
Frank Gehrke, right, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, checks the depth of the snowpack as he conducts the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, near Echo Summit, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
AP
Snow covered mountain tops rise behind downtown Los Angeles from Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017. After years of drought and barren slopes, skiers and boarders have a bonanza of snow at resorts from the Sierra Nevada to the mountain ranges of Southern California following a barrage of storms. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Kelly M. Grow/California Department of Water Resources
Lake Oroville's concrete launch ramp at Bidwell Canyon on Jan. 25, 2017. Below, the Bidwell Canyon launch ramp at Lake Oroville on Jan. 11, 2016.
AP
Mountain tops East of Los Angeles are covered with snow seen from Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. After years of drought and barren slopes, skiers and boarders have a bonanza of snow at resorts from the Sierra Nevada to the mountain ranges of Southern California following a barrage of storms. East of Los Angeles, the Bear Mountain-Snow Summit resorts report their largest January total, 70 inches, while Mountain High says the latest storm dropped the most snow in five years. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
AP
Photos show Oroville Lake in January 2017 (top) and October 2014 in Butte County.
AP
These photos show snow surveys being conducted near Echo Summit, California on Jan. 3, 2017 (top) and April 1, 2015. The surveys measure California's snowpack, a vital source of water for the state when snow melts and runs off as water into reservoirs.
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Water pours down a spillway out of Nicasio Reservoir on January 12, 2017 in Nicasio, California. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 40 percent of California is no longer in drought following a series of wet winter storms that dumped over 20 inches of rain and 12 feet of snow in the northern part of the State. 60 percent of California still remains in drought. Marin County reservoirs are currently at 100 percent of capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Nicasio Reservoir stands at 100 percent of capacity on January 12, 2017 in Nicasio, California.
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Phoenix Lake stands at 100 percent of capacity on January 12, 2017 in Greenbrae, California.
AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, photo, Briones Reservoir is seen near capacity in Orinda, Calif. More than 40 percent of California has emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year ago, federal drought-watchers said Thursday, Jan. 12, a stunning transformation caused by an unrelenting series of storms in the North that filled lakes, overflowed rivers and buried mountains in snow. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
AP
In this Jan. 11, 2017, file photo, a rainbow is seen over a flooded landscape in Hollister, Calif. More than 40 percent of California has emerged from a punishing drought that covered the whole state a year ago, federal drought-watchers said Thursday, Jan. 12, a stunning transformation caused by an unrelenting series of storms in the North that filled lakes, overflowed rivers and buried mountains in snow. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
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Low water levels are visible at Lake Oroville on May 7, 2015 in Oroville, California.
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Houseboats in the Bidwell Canyon Marina are dwarfed by the steep banks of Lake Oroville on May 7, 2015 in Oroville, California.
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BIGGS, CA - MAY 08: A bi-plane from Williams Ag Service drops rice seeds on a field on May 8, 2015 in Biggs, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, a lack of water has rice farmers are cutting back on their annual plantings which has left many crop dusting and seed planting operations with half of the work as normal. According to the California Rice Commission, 434,000 acres of rice were planted in 2014 compared to 567,000 in the previous year. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
California Department of Water Resources
The land sank so much at this location at the Delta-Mendota Canal that this bridge now nearly touches the water on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015.
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A sign referencing the drought is posted next to a fallow field on April 24, 2015 in Lemoore, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, farmers in the Central Valley are struggling to keep crops watered as wells run dry and government water allocations have been reduced or terminated. Many have opted to leave acres of their fields fallow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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The California Aqueduct passes through the Dos Amigos pumping plant on April 24, 2015 in Los Banos, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, farmers in the Central Valley are struggling to keep crops watered as wells run dry and government water allocations have been reduced or terminated. Many have opted to leave acres of their fields fallow. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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An irrigation canal stands dry on April 24, 2015 in Stratford, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, small Central Valley farming towns are struggling to survive and are experiencing dwindling populations as farms scale back operations and lay off workers due to lack of water to irrigate crops. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Low water levels are visible at Hensley Lake on April 23, 2015 in Raymond, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the State's reservoirs are shrinking due to lack of Sierra snow pack and very little rain. Hensley Lake is currently at 8 percent of its 90,000 acre feet capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Water level markers stand on what used to be the bottom of Hensley Lake on April 23, 2015 in Raymond, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the State's reservoirs are shrinking due to lack of Sierra snow pack and very little rain. Hensley Lake is currently at 8 percent of its 90,000 acre feet capacity. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A sign for the 'Brown is the New Green' campaign is posted at the Marina Green on April 21, 2015 in San Francisco, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commision has launched the 'Brown is the New Green' campaign that encourages to residents to save water and let their lawns go brown. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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ZL Construction worker Raul Buenrostro (R) bails water out from a pool as co-worker Alex Hernandez (L) prepare to operate a jackhammer during the demolition of a swimming pool at an apartment complex on April 8, 2015 in Hayward, California. As California enters its fourth year of severe drought, some California residents are opting to have their home swimming pools removed as they face a mandatory 25 percent reduction in water use. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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California Governor Jerry Brown accompanies Frank Gehrke, chief of snow surveys for the California Department of Water Resources, as he conducts a manual snow survey April 1, 2015 in Phillips, California. The recorded level is zero, the lowest in recorded history for California. Gov. Brown went on to announce mandatory statewide water restrictions. (Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images)
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A buoy stands on dry ground that used to be the bottom of the Camanche Reservoir on August 8, 2014 in Ione, California.
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Low water levels are visible at Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could potentially run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A power boat sits on a trailer in a parking lot that used to be under water at Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could potentially run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A section of the Barrett Bridge that was demolished after the Yosemite Valley Railraod went out of service in 1945 is visible as Lake McClure water levels decline on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A boom lays on what used to be the bottom of Lake McClure at the Exchequer Dam on March 24, 2015 in Snelling, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Water depth markers stand on a section of Lake Don Pedro that used to be under water on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Crews try to pull a houseboat out of the low waters of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in La Grange, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Signs with instructions for boaters remain in a completely dry section of Lake McClure on March 24, 2015 in Coulterville, California. More than 3,000 residents in the Sierra Nevada foothill community of Lake Don Pedro who rely on water from Lake McCLure could run out of water in the near future if the severe drought continues. Lake McClure is currently at 7 percent of its normal capacity and residents are under mandatory 50 percent water use restrictions. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Houseboats are dwarfed by the steep banks of Shasta Lake at Holiday Harbor on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Shasta Lake is currently near 30 percent of its total capacity, the lowest it has been since 1977. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A footbridge spans a completely dry river bed on September 4, 2014 in Porterville, California. Over 300 homes in the California central valley city of Porterville have been without running water for weeks after their wells dried up due to the severe drought. County officials and charitable organizations are providing drinking water and non-potable water to use to wash dishes and bathe. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) Full water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Photo by Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources via Getty Images) OROVILLE, CA - AUGUST 19: (Bottom) Low water levels are visible in the Bidwell Marina at Lake Oroville on August 19, 2014 in Oroville, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Lake Oroville is currently at 32 percent of its total 3,537,577 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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In this before-and-after composite image, (Top) The Enterprise Bridge passes over full water levels at a section of Lake Oroville on July 20, 2011 in Oroville, California. (Photo by Paul Hames/California Department of Water Resources via Getty Images) OROVILLE, CA - AUGUST 19: (Bottom) The Enterprise Bridge passes over a section of Lake Oroville that is nearly dry on August 19, 2014 in Oroville, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Lake Oroville is currently at 32 percent of its total 3,537,577 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A windmill stands in an unplanted field on September 5, 2014 in Chowchilla, California. As California suffers through a third straight year of drought, the state's reservoirs are at record lows and a large number of fields in the central valley sit unplanted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Low water levels are visible from a boat ramp at the San Luis Reservoir on September 5, 2014 in Gustine, California. As California suffers through a third straight year of drought, the state's reservoirs are at record lows and a large number of fields in the central valley sit unplanted. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Bridges span a dry inlet of Shasta Lake on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Shasta Lake is currently near 30 percent of its total capacity, the lowest it has been since 1977. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A canal cuts through unplanted fields on August 22, 2014 in Firebaugh, California. As the severe California drought continues for a third straight year, Central California farming communites are struggling to survive with an unemployment rate nearing 40 percent in the towns of Mendota and Firebaugh. With limited supplies of water available to water crops, farmers are leaving acres of farmland unplanted and are having to lay off or reduce the hours of laborers. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Boaters launch their boats hundreds of yards away from designated boat ramps at Folsom Lake on August 19, 2014 in Folsom, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. Folsom Lake is currently at 40 percent of its total capacity of 977,000 acre feet. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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The Folsom South Canal flows through unplanted farms on August 19, 2014 in Mather, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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A paddleboarder floats on the waters of Shasta Lake at Holiday Harbor on August 30, 2014 in Lakehead, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows.
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Low water levels are visible from a boat ramp at the San Luis Reservoir on September 5, 2014 in Gustine, California
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Boat docks at Browns Ravine sit on dry ground at Folsom Lake on August 19, 2014 in El Dorado Hills, California. As the severe drought in California continues for a third straight year, water levels in the State's lakes and reservoirs is reaching historic lows.
USGS
Lake Shasta in north-central California is pictured in February 2014.
USGS
A portion of the Tuolumne River, which flows from the Sierra Nevada to the San Joaquin River in California's Central Valley.
USGS
Trinity Lake, located in north-central California, is pictured in February 2014.
USGS
Folsom Lake is pictured in January 2014.
Stephanie Cantrell Metz via Facebook
A now-faded “no swimming” sign is still visible at Uvas Reservoir in Santa Clara County, Feb. 2014.
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A car sits in dried and cracked earth of what was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014, in San Jose, California. Now in its third straight year of drought conditions, California is experiencing its driest year on record, dating back 119 years, and reservoirs throughout the state have low water levels.
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A small pool of water is surrounded by dried and cracked earth that was the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California. California Gov. Jerry Brown officially declared a drought emergency to speed up assistance to local governments, streamline water transfers and potentially ease environmental protection requirements for dam releases.
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Land is exposed by the extremely low water level of Lake Kaweah on Feb. 5, 2014, near Visalia, California. Grasslands that support cattle have dried up, forcing ranchers to feed them expensive supplemental hay to keep them from starving or to sell at least some of their herds, and farmers are struggling with diminishing crop water and what to plant or whether to tear out permanent crops which use water year-round such, as almond trees. About 17 rural communities could run out of drinking water and politicians are are pushing to undo laws that protect several endangered species.
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Chairs sit in dried and cracked earth that used to be the bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014 in San Jose, California.
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A dog hangs around an abandoned farmhouse on Feb. 6, 2014 near Bakersfield, California.
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The low water level of Morris Reservoir is seen on the backside of Morris Dam before dawn on the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014, near Azusa, California.
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Rocky shores are exposed by the low waters of San Gabriel Reservoir on the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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The San Gabriel River winds through the dry upper reaches of San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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The sun shines over the dry upper reaches of San Gabriel Reservoir in the Angeles National Forest on Jan. 22, 2014.
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A stream of water cuts through the dry bottom of the Almaden Reservoir on Jan. 28, 2014, in San Jose, California.
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A cattle truck passes a sign near State Highway 99 that calls for water and drought management actions on Feb.6, 2014, north of Bakersfield, California.
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A worker with Better Than Real Artficial Lawns installs an artificial lawn in front of an apartment building on Jan. 30, 2014, in San Jose, California. Artificial lawns have emerged as a water saving alternative for Californians who have been asked to voluntarily reduce water by twenty percent as California is experiencing its driest year on record. Some counties have imposed mandatory reductions in water use and have banned watering of lawns.
California will need the help of atmospheric riversfor two more years to get out of a drought cycle, especially in Southern California.
But if you look at the history of flooding in California, intense flooding events occurred before the industrial age and atmospheric rivers are responsible for most of the events.
Attributing climate change to future flooding events may be difficult. Upcoming research will need to address how a warming world affects atmospheric rivers.
NBC4's Jessica Rice contributed to this report.
Courtesy Canoga-Owensmouth Historical Society
This image was taken at the confluence of the LA River and the Central Branch of the Tujunga Wash. The flood washed away the Lankershim Blvd Bridge by Universal City. This photo was taken on the south side of the river looking towards the northeast.
KNBC-TV
Here is what that section of the LA River looks like today. The channel transitions from perpendicular walls to sloped concrete siding after receiving the Burbank Western Wash. Also note the “revitalized” portion of the river as you approach Victory Blvd (intersects the river in the lower left corner of the image). This picture was taken looking west.
