"Unprecedented Flooding in San Diego: A Climate Change Wake-Up Call"

San Diego, known for its dry, sunny weather, experienced damaging floods due to an atmospheric river carrying moisture from the tropics and warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures, exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Climate scientists expect such events to become more frequent. Similar heavy rain events have occurred in other parts of the U.S. and globally, with 70% of recent catastrophes involving flooding. The long-term forecast for the Pacific Coast indicates potential for very active weather in early February, with mounting flooding risks in Southern California due to rising temperatures. Scientists are studying the correlation between El Niño and rainfall on the Pacific coast, as well as the coastal impacts of higher seas and big waves.