The second peak of an ongoing atmospheric river storm arrived in Northern California Monday afternoon, prompting flood watches and a winter storm warning up in the Sierra.

A stronger atmospheric river is set to hit Northern California on Monday and then hit Los Angeles County on Tuesday, aiding hopes of a more definitive end to a devastating fire weather season for Southern California.

More rain is on the way after Redding got 8 inches of rain in three days due to an atmospheric river. Here's a weather update.

A group of scientists from Southern California recently came to the Bay Area to send up a series of weather balloons to help them study the atmospheric river event dumping rain on Northern California.

"We do have a Flood Watch in effect across the area from this afternoon to late Tuesday night," Kurth said. "Much of the Sacramento area will be relatively dry early and then we'll see precipitation spreading from north to south through the day. So, afternoon and especially tonight we'll see some of that moderate to heavy rain."

Here's the latest forecast for an upcoming winter storm that forecasters hope could finally lift Los Angeles County from the throes of a devastating fire season.

Heavy precipitation is falling mostly in mountain areas. A flood watch in also in effect for the coast of central California, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley.

Forecasters believe there's little risk that the rains expected next week will trigger debris flows and mudslides in Southern California's recent burn areas.

A weather system fueled by a "Pineapple Express" originating near Hawaii will unleash torrential rain across Northern California and southern Oregon throughout the week. Up to 20 inches of rain could lead to mudslides and mountain snow could total 6 feet.