A powerful atmospheric river was sweeping across Northern California on Thursday, bringing widespread rain, gusty winds, and high-elevation snow to the Sacramento region, forecasters said.

A strong atmospheric river moving inland Wednesday night through Friday will bring widespread rain, mountain snow, and gusty winds across California.

Southern California is bracing for heavy rain, gusty winds and cooler temperatures as a Pacific storm, fed by an atmospheric river, moves inland through the region.

A Pacific storm could help California crews battle the dangerous Pack Fire in Mono County, but it could also wreak havoc on fire-charred communities further south.

If rain falls as forecast, this storm could result in downtown Los Angeles seeing its wettest November since 1985. Heavy rain brings the possibility of damaging flooding and landslides.

A strong Pacific storm is pushing into Southern California and ingredients are in place for potential life-threatening flooding, mudslides and debris flows, especially near burn scars in the Los Angeles area.

An atmospheric river has begun to slam California that is expected to bring days of heavy rain, strong wind gusts and potentially feet of mountain snow to the Golden State through early next week, ushering in the regions rainy season.

With an atmospheric river set to arrive in Southern California, precautionary evacuation warnings have been issued in recent wildfire burn areas.