Beachgoers are encountering more stingrays and suffering their lashings as a marine heat wave off Southern California draws them closer to shore.
Heavy rain and snow brought on by an El Niño weather pattern well into the spring has meteorologists forecasting another below-normal wildfire season for California.
This week's stormy conditions in Southern California could be merely a preview of a rain-soaked winter in the region, according to a climate scientist.
According to NASA, cities along the western coast could see an increase in the frequency of high-tide flooding, which could swamp roads and spill into buildings.
El Niño is forecast to be strong this winter and reach the most significant level since a very strong El Niño fostered the warmest winter on record across the US mainland during 2015-2016, according to NOAA.
The California water year just wrapped up and it was one of the rainiest years ever. Now, the National Weather Service says next year could also see above-average rain thanks to the start of an El Niño.