Los Angeles - A potentially hazardous "Pineapple Express" storm is set to hit California late Saturday, posing a threat of flooding and mudslides over the next couple of days.

Meteorologists predict this could be the largest storm of the season, with Ventura and Santa Barbara counties expected to bear the brunt on Sunday and Monday. Most of the state is under wind, surf, or flood watches.

This marks the second atmospheric river onslaught this week, a phenomenon characterized by a long band of moisture forming over the Pacific. The initial wave hit the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, causing downpours and heavy snowfall that disrupted cable car services before advancing to Los Angeles and San Diego on Thursday.

Dubbed "Pineapple Express" due to the plume of moisture stretching back to near Hawaii, this storm is forecasted to arrive in Northern California on Saturday afternoon, bringing heavy rains and strong winds throughout the night into Sunday. The system will then move south, hitting the Los Angeles area with downpours, flash floods, and high-elevation mountain snow on Sunday morning. The impact is expected to extend to Orange County and San Diego on Monday, with rain persisting in Southern California until Tuesday.

The National Weather Service anticipates rainfall of 3 to 6 inches in coastal and valley areas of Southern California, while the foothills and mountains may see 6 to 12 inches. Rainfall rates could reach 1/2 to 1 inch per hour, posing risks of mudslides, debris flows, and flooding. In higher elevations above 7,000 feet, 2 to 4 feet of snowfall is likely.

The worst-hit areas are projected to be parts of Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, particularly south-facing slopes in the Transverse Ranges. Evacuation orders have been issued in vulnerable areas, including burn scars caused by wildfires, and coastal regions in the city of Santa Barbara. High winds are expected to contribute to hazardous seas.

In response to the impending inclement weather, NASCAR rescheduled The Clash at the Coliseum to Saturday night, moving away from the original plan for Sunday. The Santa Anita racetrack also canceled its Sunday program and rescheduled key races for the following Saturday.

The weather challenges continue to raise concerns, especially with El Niño in the forecast, which is expected to bring additional storms to California. Rising sea levels from global warming are contributing to larger waves off the state's coast, creating additional challenges for coastal areas already experiencing some of the highest tides of the season.