A strong atmospheric river is bringing impacts across California, including flooding rain to Los Angeles later this week.

As a storm moves through Northern California, the real work is just beginning for atmospheric river researchers.

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.

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.

The storm could trigger dangerous flash floods and mudslides, but it may also extinguish California’s wildfire season.

For the West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, including Blue Canyon, a winter weather advisory is also in effect to 10 a.m. Friday. Snow totals are expected to reach three to six inches south of Highway 50, with 12 to 18 inches at the highest peaks. Gusty winds up to 50 mph are also expected.

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

"Rain is going to be the primary concern," a National Weather Service meteorologist told the Sentinel. "This looks to be our wettest system of the (rain) year so far."