What is an Atmospheric River? First round of storms arrive in Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An Atmospheric River has officially reached Central California.

The archetypal circular of storms arrived with airy rainfall Wednesday evening that turned into stronger rainfall Thursday morning.

The storms are besides bringing rainfall and snowfall to Southern and Northern California.

Some parts of the North Valley and Foothill communities could spot heavier rainfall passim the day.

A Flood Watch is successful effect for immoderate Foothill communities, including Mariposa, Oakhurst and Coarsegold.

Thunderstorms are imaginable for definite parts of the Valley. If you perceive thunder, you're urged to instrumentality shelter.

Areas supra 5,000 feet implicit the High Sierra could spot betwixt 1 to 3 feet of snow, and 1 to 3 inches of snowfall accumulations arsenic debased arsenic 4,000 feet.

Sustained winds successful the San Joaquin Valley are expected to beryllium astir 35 mph, and successful the High Sierra, upwind gusts tin scope up to 75 mph.

Both rainfall and snowfall totals are expected to treble with the 2nd circular of storms implicit the play and into adjacent week.

Sandbags are disposable passim the Valley.

RELATED: Here's wherever to find the nearest sandbag determination successful the Central Valley

The California Office of Emergency Management is prepared for immoderate the storms volition driblet connected the authorities and is acceptable to rescue radical from flooding and different unsafe situations.

Officials with electrical companies accidental the champion happening you tin bash is hole up of time.

They besides accidental if you spot downed powerfulness lines, support your region due to the fact that you ne'er cognize erstwhile it's inactive energized, and mixing that successful with the rainfall tin beryllium deadly.

Some outages were already reported connected Wednesday successful parts of Fresno County with precocious winds playing a factor.