“Atmospheric River” Causes Whittier College Class Cancellations
Note: This article was written before Whittier College released a statement on 2/5/2024.
Early February has brought extreme wet weather to Southern California, leading to many Whittier College classes to be cancelled or moved onto Zoom. The College has not released a statement yet in regards to the storm and any cancellations of classes. Cancellation of class is determined on a class-by-class basis.
Many Southern California schools have made Monday classes remote or cancelled due to the rain, including Cal State Fullerton, Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, and Cal State Long Beach.
Southern California, and specifically the Los Angeles region, is going through what meteorologists call an “atmospheric river.” This “potentially historic” storm has brought about four to eight inches of rain to Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service, with some places like Pasadena expected to receive almost 10 inches of rain. This amount of rainfall, along with wind speeds up to 30 to 50 mph and multiple flash flood warnings and flood advisories across Southern California, has caused California Governor Gavin Newsom to issue a State of Emergency for several SoCal areas, including Los Angeles County on Feb. 4.
Newsom states that “this is a serious storm with dangerous and potentially life-threatening impacts. Please pay attention to any emergency orders or alerts from local officials. California is ready with a record number of emergency assets on the ground to respond to the impacts of this storm.”
The State of Emergency says that the California National Guard could be authorized if tasked, along with “facilitating unemployment benefits for impacted residents, and making it easier for out-of-state contractors and utilities to repair storm damage.” The State has “has mobilized a record 8,500 state-coordinated, prepositioned emergency response assets that are ready to respond to potential flooding, landslides, travel impacts and 911 calls.”
An “atmospheric river” is a “flowing column of condensed water vapor in the atmosphere responsible for producing significant levels of rain and snow, especially in the Western United States.” When the River goes over the mountains, this causes the water vapor to rise and cool, thus causing the heavy rain.
Los Angeles is at an extreme level of risk due to the rain. The peak time of the storm will occur Sunday evening through Monday morning, with thunderstorms occurring during those days, and possibly on Tuesday. There is said to be a “moderate risk” (40 percent) of excessive rainfall leading to rapid onset flooding.
The California Office of Emergency Services and The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom have listed several ways to stay safe during the storm. The first is to stay connected by dialing 311 to get help or ask questions, or 911 if there is an emergency. If you would like to stay up-to-date with the latest information regarding warnings and evacuation notices, you can at CalAlerts.org. The second is to stay informed with trusted sources, like state and local government sites, or emergency management news outlets. The third is to prepare for high winds by removing “any dead trees or overhanging branches near structures, remove loose roofing material, bring in unsecured objects from patios and balconies, secure outdoor objects that could blow away, shutter windows securely and brace outside doors.” If there are high winds in your area, you should “take cover next to a building or under shelter, stay away from windows, stay clear of roadways and train tracks, avoid elevated areas such as roofs, watch for flying debris.” Fourth, you should travel safely during this time. Avoiding non-essential travel is ideal, but if you must travel, do not walk, swim, or drive through flooded areas. And lastly, be ready in case of a power outage. You should take note of what needs to be relied on for electricity, and pack extra batteries or other alternative power sources in case. Make sure you have flashlights as well.
Stay dry and safe out there!
Photo Courtesy of Meylina Tran / Quaker Campus
Update: Whittier College has made a statement in regards to the storm. The College has announced that all classes on Tuesday, Feb. 6 have been made remote. They urge that students “check [their] Moodle and email for information from [their] professor.” The campus along with amenities like the library, dining services, and housing will still be open. The College also states that they “anticipate returning to in-person classes as scheduled on Wednesday, Feb. 7, and will provide an update Tuesday afternoon.”
