Wild unexpected consequences of the recent California storms



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Bears as houseguests, wayward seal pups, and tide pools of bubblegum-pink nudibranchs.

All of these odd occurrences are related to the storms that have pummeled the Bay Area in recent weeks.

Besides the obvious rain mishaps — BART delays, flooding, soaked hairdos — there are countless consequences from this stormy season beyond the dampening of spirits and clothing.

This region's abundant flora and fauna are most impacted by heavy rain, with everything from rare birds popping up in unexpected locations to the disappearance of the fragrant fritillary flower from Bernal Heights.

"In 2016 we actually got quite a bit of rain, but it wasn't stored as snow," said California Academy of Sciences naturalist Scott Loarie, who explains that the heavy rainfall is part of an ongoing dry-and-wet cycle.

Snowpacks act as year-round irrigation systems, keeping California's animals and plants alive. When heavy rains fall rather than snow in the colder months, water can't be stored for the hot season.

Loarie says that this phenomenon – heavy rainfall punctuated by dry periods – can be chalked up to climate change, meaning the strange effects of the storm aren't going to disappear anytime soon.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.