California storms could bring much-needed rain and relief to wildfire-weary areas

THE TAKEAWAY

CALIFORNIA - As numerous wildfires burn across parts of California this weekend, a welcome shift in moisture will move across the West Coast, bringing severe storms by midweek.

This comes as a strong upper-level trough moves south along the West Coast, bringing increased moisture and widespread showers.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONTROLLED AND CONTAINED FIRE?

As the system progresses, a surface low will move into California by Wednesday, bringing much-needed rainfall that could help improve wildfire conditions.

By Wednesday, meteorologists at the FOX Forecast Center expect most of the rain to spread across Northern and Central California, including the Bay Area and Central Valley, before stretching into southern portions of the state overnight.

The wet weather will continue Thursday, when the upper-level low shifts eastward into Nevada, Utah and Arizona as colder air moves over the warmer desert, fueling scattered showers that could develop across the Four Corners region.

The main threats from these storms include damaging wind gusts, small hail and heavy rain capable of triggering flash flooding.

Cities such as Phoenix, Flagstaff, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles are under a Level 1 out of 4 flash flood threat.

SUPER EL NIÑO FUELED WINTER COULD UNLEASH MORE STORMS, DRIVING MORE ACTIVE PATTERN INTO THE SOUTH

From Wednesday through Friday, precipitation totals of around 1 to 2 inches are possible, with 0.5 to 1 inches possible in other parts of the region.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES DESTROY HOMES, INJURE TWO FIREFIGHTERS AS CREWS BATTLE CONTAINMENT PROGRESS

As the storm system continues its development, it will shift northeast into the Southern and Central Rockies for the second half of the week, bringing repeated rounds of rain and thunderstorms to portions of the Intermountain West.

Stay with FOX Weather for the latest information.