Pineapple Express Led to Historic Rainfall

As the world entered a new year, the weather patterns that loomed over the final week of 2025 in the Pacific Northwest have persisted into January.

The heavy rainfall that began in Southern California on Christmas Eve and persisted through New Year’s Day is the result of a specific meteorological phenomenon known as a “Pineapple Express.”

According to the National Weather Service, a persistent trough of low pressure stretching across the Pacific Ocean has created a conveyor belt of subtropical moisture. This system has been hitting Southern California’s coastal mountains at a perpendicular angle, maximizing rainfall extraction and overwhelming local drainage systems.

Record Rainfall

According to data from the Long Beach Airport (Daughtery Field) Station, the city saw a progressive increase in rainfall as the system stalled. While Christmas Eve registered 0.11 inches, the showers intensified on Christmas Day with 1.57 inches of rain.

The storm continued to drop 0.17 inches on Dec. 26 and another significant 1.40 inches on Dec. 27. The wet weather carried into the new year, with 0.83 inches recorded on Jan. 1 and 0.62 inches on Jan. 2.

While the “Pineapple Express” is often associated with warmer, tropical moisture, the volume of water led Governor Newsom to declare a State of Emergency, as the storms can carry water vapor equivalent to 20 times the discharge of the Mississippi River.

Traffic Fatalities During Storm

The holiday week was marked by three traffic fatalities on Long Beach roadways during the storm’s window. Despite the Federal Highway Administration’s data indicating that approximately 12% of all traffic accidents are weather-related, official police reports for these incidents do not list weather as a primary factor.

On Dec. 23, a fatal collision occurred at West Willow Street and Maine Avenue involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. Investigators determined that speed, distracted driving, and impaired driving did not appear to be contributing factors in that incident.

Later that same evening, a two-vehicle collision at Long Beach Boulevard and Wardlow Road resulted in the death of a 16-year-old female passenger. In that case, detectives noted that speed and distracted driving may have contributed to the crash.

A third fatality occurred on Dec. 27 at West Pacific Coast Highway and Cedar Avenue, where a female pedestrian was struck. Similar to the earlier pedestrian incident, police stated that speed, distracted driving, and impairment did not appear to be factors.

Port Ops Likely Disrupted

The maritime gateway of the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach also faced significant disruptions. The “Pineapple Express” brought conditions severe enough to trigger suspension of operations consistent with the Port of Los Angeles Mariners Guide, which warns of suspensions during “inclement weather” such as wind gusts of 50 knots or sea forecasts of 8-12 feet.

According to National Weather Service statements, logistical operations were likely reduced or halted on several key dates:

Tuesday, Dec. 23: Operations almost certainly ceased as the event peaked, with Storm Warnings issued for gusts up to 60 knots and seas reaching 10 to 15 feet.

Wednesday, Dec. 24: A Gale Warning remained in effect with seas holding at 10 to 15 feet. Pilot boats, which are essential for guiding cargo vessels into the harbor, rarely operate in short-period wind waves exceeding 10 feet.

Sunday, Dec. 28: Although winds had lightened, a secondary swell pushed wave heights back into the “danger zone” of 9 to 12 feet, triggering High Surf and Small Craft Advisories that likely hampered pilot transfers.

For any inquiries or further information, please contact Jose Cervantes at JoseC.Press@pm.me.