Evacuation warnings were issued across Los Angeles County on Thursday evening as an atmospheric river approached Southern California, bringing with it the potential to put an early end to fire season while also bringing fresh risks of flooding and mudslides. Under the storm scenario deemed most likely by forecasters, downtown L.A. would see 2.62 inches of rain Friday morning through Sunday. … Rain of that extent would also make this L.A.’s wettest November in 40 years. … In Sierra Nevada, snow levels are expected to fall to around 8,000 feet above sea level around Tahoe and in Mono County from Thursday night into Friday morning. 

Other atmospheric river news:

• CBS Sacramento (Calif.): Atmospheric river researchers in Marysville begin critical work amid Northern California storm
• The New York Times: Southern California is forecast to get heavy rain
• ABC10 (San Diego): Why this weekend’s coming rainstorm has boggled the minds of local forecasters
• CBS Sacramento (Calif.): Atmospheric river drenches Sacramento region with heavy rain, wind, Sierra snow
• Orange County Register (Irvine, Calif.): Flood watch affecting the Orange County and Santa Ana Mountains area Saturday triggered by prolonged rainfall