In early February 2024, California faced a second bout of extreme weather, termed an atmospheric river event. This led to severe conditions across the state, including heavy rainfall, road floods, and power outages affecting nearly 850,000 people. Winds, reaching speeds exceeding 80 mph in mountainous regions and 60 mph in the San Francisco Bay Area, resembled those of a hurricane. The San Francisco Bay Area witnessed street flooding, fallen trees, and disrupted power lines. Emergency crews in San Jose assisted individuals stranded by floodwaters and aided a homeless camp threatened by a rising river. Santa Barbara residents prepared for the storm by obtaining supplies like sandbags, flashlights, and generators. In an effort to minimize fatalities and injuries, classes were canceled in Santa Barbara County, which had previously experienced devastating mudslides in 2018.

Ventura, west of Los Angeles, faced flooded freeways and stranded vehicles. Coastal areas experienced power outages, affecting over 847,000 customers statewide. The Storm Prediction Center warned of waterspouts turning into tornadoes in six Bay Area counties, causing disruptions at San Francisco International Airport. The “Pineapple Express” storm brought heavy snow to Palisades Tahoe and led to warnings for Sierra Nevada mountain roads. A rare “hurricane force wind warning” with gusts up to 92 mph was issued for the Central Coast after a prior system. Southern California faced a significant flooding risk from the sluggish system.