In early February 2024, California went through a second round of intense weather, known as an atmospheric river event. This caused severe conditions all over the state, with heavy rains, floods on roads, and power outages affecting nearly 850,000 people. Strong winds, similar to those of a hurricane, reached speeds over 80 mph in some mountainous areas and 60 mph in the San Francisco Bay Area. The San Francisco Bay Area experienced street flooding, fallen trees, and disrupted power lines. Emergency crews in San Jose helped people stranded by floodwaters and assisted those in a homeless camp threatened by a rising river. In Santa Barbara, residents prepared for the storm by getting supplies like sandbags, flashlights, and generators. Officials aimed to minimize fatalities and injuries, leading to the cancellation of classes in Santa Barbara County, which had faced devastating mudslides in 2018.

Ventura, west of Los Angeles, faced flooded freeways and stranded vehicles. Over 847,000 customers statewide, mainly in coastal areas, experienced power outages. The Storm Prediction Center warned of waterspouts turning into tornadoes in six Bay Area counties, causing delays and cancellations at San Francisco International Airport. The “Pineapple Express” storm, known for its moisture plume, brought heavy snow to Palisades Tahoe and prompted warnings to avoid Sierra Nevada mountain roads. Following a previous system, a rare “hurricane force wind warning” was issued for the Central Coast, with gusts up to 92 mph. The slow-moving system posed a significant flooding risk in Southern California.