Christmas Day 2025 was one of catastrophic flooding and landslides for the Golden State, capping an atmospheric river that bore down over much of California and the Pacific Northwest during the holiday season.
Preliminary reports from the Weather Prediction Center found that several areas of California received more than a foot of rain between Dec. 20 and Dec. 26, with mountainous areas receiving two to three feet of snow.
Topping the numbers for rain was Honeydew, California, which received more than 17 inches of rain over those five days. Whitehorn and Potter Valley came next, both of which saw more than 15 inches of rain. Paradise and Ortega Hill received just under a foot of rain.
Regarding snowfall, Mammoth Mountain came out on top with more than three feet of snow since Dec. 20, according to the Weather Prediction Center. However, Mammoth Mountain’s website indicates that it received 67 inches at its main lodge over the past three days. Wind gusts there also reached 108 mph. Meanwhile, Palisades Tahoe recorded the fastest wind gusts—113 mph—and 27 inches of snow.
Further south, Santa Rosa, California, received 6.7 inches of rain, Santa Cruz saw 5.85 inches of rain, and Los Angeles received 2.8 inches of rain.
National Weather Service offices are continuing to send staff into the field to conduct assessments, as well as first responders from multiple departments.
“Inclement weather is impacting roads across California,” the California Highway Patrol said on X with a video highlighting extreme conditions all around the state. “CHP officers are out statewide working to keep everyone safe. Slow down, increase following distance, use headlights, and avoid unnecessary travel. Safety is a shared responsibility.”
The rains caused several rivers to overflow, triggering floods and landslides. Videos shared by emergency response crews on social media showed floodwaters making roads impassable, invading neighborhoods, and mudslides partially burying homes.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department alone rescued more than 100 people during the night of Dec. 25, 20 of whom were lifted out of their cars into a helicopter. Rescue swimmers were also called into action by state-level emergency operations.
While most of the rain has stopped, several roads remain closed due to debris. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services warned that the risk of mudslides and debris flow could persist for several days.
Mammoth Mountain remains closed to skiers due to a high risk of avalanche due to the immense amounts of snowfall on its slopes.
“As a reminder, conditions during & after storms can lead to road closures, especially in mountain & canyon areas,” the Los Angeles County’s office of emergency management said on X. “If you need to drive, please check your route & drive carefully. We want you to arrive safely.”
