The National Weather Service Western Region (NWSWPC) reported at approximately 8:00 PM UTC on February 16, 2026, that a potent Pacific storm system is funneling moisture into California, resulting in heavy rain and mountain snow across the state. The system will move inland tonight into Tuesday, increasing precipitation chances across the Intermountain West, with another system arriving onshore Wednesday. This update from NWSWPC builds on earlier Flash Flood Warnings issued for much of Los Angeles County and active Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in the same areas, as reported by CaliFireTracker between 6:45 PM and 7:15 PM UTC. The storm's progression follows prior Wind Advisories on the Central Coast and rare tornado risks for Los Angeles until mid-afternoon, according to the National Weather Service Bay Area, SoCalweathernet, and MaxVelocityWX. NWSWPC specified the current system's impacts during the 59-minute reporting window from 7:15 PM to 8:15 PM UTC, confirming heavy precipitation ongoing in Southern California amid forecasts of 1-3 inches of rain west of the mountains by tomorrow morning. CHP Santa Barbara had earlier highlighted travel dangers with an image shared around 6:00 PM UTC, emphasizing avoidance of non-essential travel.
