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.

Some feel the term "atmospheric river" is now being overused or even misused. So what is an atmospheric river?

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.

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.

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

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for much of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, due to an atmospheric river bringing heavy rain to the region Thursday morning.

Another potent atmospheric river will impact the West Coast during the latter half of the week, bringing rain and mountain snow. Some areas across Southern California could pick up 1 to 2 inches of rain,