Monster Storms in N.California; be safe there.

[tekisui]

A rare blizzard warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Mountains as three winter storms are set to hit Northern California and Nevada beginning today. The first storm has brought heavy rains in the Bay Area and snow to the mountains in the region. Forecasters said there will be gusts of up to 55 miles per hour. A high surf advisory along the California coastline is now in effect, and the Coast Guard has ordered all of its units on standby. The blizzard warning was issued for 4 a.m. Friday through Saturday, together with a high wind warning for the Truckee Meadows. The weather service said the storm could bring winds of up to 60 to 80 miles per hour in the valleys, where six to 12 inches of snow are expected by early Saturday. In the mountains, five to 10 feet of snow, and gusts as strong as 145 miles per hour are expected to make driving conditions "dangerous and possibly life threatening." The third storm will arrive on Sunday, bringing five to 10 feet of snow in the Sierra by late afternoon.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009605493

[babylonsister]

1. I also heard this p.m. about flooding in SoCal, the worst in years.

Mudslides, etc. Not good.

[ronnykmarshall]

Not yet...

but as Peggy says below, we are expecting the storm tonight.

The areas hit by the fires this past fall are going to be on alert for mudslides.

[babylonsister]

7. Good, ronny. I hope you're in a safe situation, away from any mud

that might slide. I have two sisters living there, but they're on flat land.

[ronnykmarshall]

8. Thanks sis!

We are in a safe spot.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Yup, it's going to be crazy up there...

And then we'll have it tonight, and through the weekend...:scared:

[Kajsa]

21. It's suppose to be light rain tonight, Peggy.

It hasn't started in OC yet, but it will tonight.

The big whooper is coming Fri night - Sat. morning.

Stay dry and safe, dear Peggy!

:hi: :hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. I will be safe and dry tonight...

But Saturday night I am going out (more on that later) and then it'll be more interesting...:scared:

[Taverner]

3. I lived in Tahoe during the 86 Blizzarrd

no roads in or out for a week or so...it was crazy.

Locals only skiing afterwards however :)

[TomInTib]

4. It's getting pretty interesting here.

I am right on the water, directly north across the Bay from SF.

The Bay is rockin' on this side.

[kestrel91316]

5. They're sure talking this one up here in SoCal. But I see that for

tonight, the first wave, we have only a 60% chance of rain. That probability virtually never turns into actual rain. I only believe forecasts for rain with a 90% or higher probability. Been burned too many times....

Now the forecast for 5-10 FEET of snow in the Sierras, that I believe.

[AlCzervik]

6. it hasn't started here yet but we are supposed to have some might big wind gusts

it's going to be a loud night.

[fed-up]

9. High Wind Warning in effect from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST Friday...

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=95928

Statement as of 5:08 AM PST on January 03, 2008


... Very strong and possibly damaging wind tonight into Friday
across interior northern California...

... High Wind Warning in effect from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM
PST Friday...

The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a High Wind
Warning... which is in effect from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM PST
Friday. The high wind watch is no longer in effect.

Southerly wind will increase to 15 to 30 mph this afternoon into
evening with locally higher gusts in the foothills as the first
Pacific storm moves inland. Very strong southerly wind will
develop late tonight into Friday morning. Speeds of 25 to 45 mph
with gusts up to 65 mph can be expected in the valley during the
warning period. Gusts up to 75 mph are possible in the surrounding
foothills and Lake County. The wind is expected to decrease below
High Wind Warning criteria late Friday afternoon but remain breezy
to windy into Friday night.

A High Wind Warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected
or occurring. High wind speeds or gusts can cause flying debris...
uproot trees and down power lines. Residents should take
precautions at this time to avoid property damage by securing
loose objects outside or bring them indoors.








Special Weather Statement

Statement as of 7:01 AM PST on January 03, 2008


... Series of storms to bring periods of heavy rainfall to the Central
Valley tonight through Sunday...

A series of strong Pacific storms are forecast to move through
northern California over the next few days. Periods of heavy rain
and strong winds are expected from tonight through Sunday. The
strong winds expected tonight and Friday as the first two systems
pass through the area have prompted the issuance of a High Wind
Warning for the entire Central Valley and Delta regions. In
addition to the winds... an extended rainy period is forecast
lasting from later today through Sunday with periods of heavier
rainfall as each of the frontal systems passes through the area.

Rainfall amounts between late today and Sunday evening could add
up to 2 to 3 inches in the Sacramento area and 4 inches or more in
the far northern Sacramento Valley. Although main Stem river
flooding is not expected at this time... more localized flooding of
smaller flood prone creeks is possible as well as localized
street flooding where drainage systems are unable to handle the
periods of heavier rain.

If possible... clear storm drains of leaves and other debris before
the rains begin tonight and be alert for possible areas of local
street flooding over the next few days.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. It started raining here in SF...

...around an hour and a half ago. My 75 year old Mom lives up in Tahoe and I am really worried about her -- she normally can handle her own plowing, but she just had a breast lumpectomy a week ago and still can't do that kind of heavy work. :( She has a call in to a local service for plowing, but they take care of seasonal customers first.

A few years ago we came home to 4' of snow in her driveway and no way to get in -- we had to spend the night in a hotel until I could go back with a shovel and make my way to the door. It took me all day to clear her drive out -- and that was with a plow!

It can get pretty hairy up there -- stuck in your house with no way to get out. They tend to keep the highways open as a priority and let the neighborhoods fend for themselves until they can get to them. If you are in a remote area, you can be waiting for a week with no electricty! :(

[NV Whino]

11. Been raining here since 8:00 AM

Didn't expect it to start so early. Got soaked.

[kineneb]

29. Here as well- Lake Co.

All in all, this is just a typical mid-winter California storm series. We get our water in lumps, like dumping out buckets, none of that gentle mist stuff here.

Tomorrow is predicted to be very windy, along with the rain.

Got my wind-up radio/light/siren (thank you, Santa), lots of candles and canned goods, and a propane range.

[GregD]

12. Mount Shasta, CA (1 hour south of Oregon)

Snowing like crazy, and supposed to get really hammered tomorrow... 10-15 inches.

Sure glad I have that new snow blower ready to roll!

[Greyskye]

13. Near Sacramento...

...our next door neighbor had a tree fall on (and total) his new truck a few days ago. With all of the trees around our place, I'm a little nervous. :scared:

This storm is gonna be a big one.

[GregD]

15. Mount Shasta, CA highway cam:

I just cleared the driveway. Man that stuff is coming down!

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/rwis/sm_blkbutte.php

[fed-up]

19. Rash of wrecks close I-5 north of Redding-should be opening soon

Windy and rain on and off here in Chico, not too bad right now, but expecting 50-70 MPH gusts later tonight

http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_7873783

Rash of wrecks close I-5
By E-R Staff
Article Launched: 01/03/2008 03:17:07 PM PST

Northbound I-5 has been closed just north of Redding as a result of a series of injury and non-injury crashes in the Mount Shasta area.
Starting at about 12:40 p.m. today not less than five crashes and spinouts were reported on the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol web site.

Residents of the area and tow trucks are being allowed to go beyond Fawndale Road in Redding.

There was no dependable estimate on when I-5 might be reopening.

Web cams in the Mount Shasta area show near blizzard conditions.

home page (my first visit to the site)-
CHP Traffic Incident Information Page
http://cad.chp.ca.gov/

http://cad.chp.ca.gov/iiqr.asp?Center=RDCC&LogNumber=0246D0103&t=Lane%20Closure&l=NB%20I5%20AT%20FAWNDALE%20RD&b=143%205F

4:07PM PER CT - THEY LL BE LETTING A EMPTY LAVENDER CATTLE TRK THRU FOR THE 1126 BIG RIG AT GIBSON
2:58PM PER YREKA, THEY SPOKE W/DOT AND THEY HAVE PREMISSION TO LET ANY OF THEIR 11-85 S THRU
2:43PM PER 37-S6 / CONFERENCE CALL WITH CT ADV ING PROBABLY OPEN FRWY IN 2 HRS
2:24PM PER 37-S6* PLZ GO THRU CT DISPATCH TO LET TOW S THRU CLOSURE
2:19PM CLAYTON S TOW IS SENDING A BIG RIG TOW TO ASSIST WITH TC IN MT SHASTA AREA- REQ TO BE LET THROUGH CLOSURE THANK YOU
1:12PM 1039 CIF
1:11PM 1039 KNIGHTON TRUCK STOP
1:09PM PER CT - ALL TRAFFIC NB CLOSED AT LOCATION - REQ CHP OFCR
1:07PM 1039 37-L AT DIV
12:59PM 1039 37-56
12:53PM 1039 37-S3
RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
2:48PM CHP Unit On Scene

[malaise]

14. Stay safe DUers

:grouphug:

[RL3AO]

16. Sat image of the storm

beautiful looking storm system

[Kajsa]

22. Great imagery!

what site did you get that from?

NOAA?

:hi:

[RL3AO]

24. From Dr. Jeff Master's blog

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html

[Kajsa]

25. Thanks,RL3AO!

I've bookmarked it.

:D

[Garbo 2004]

17. Here in Sacramento it's been raining but the wind has just started to kick up.

City of trees & high winds can = :scared:

[SalmonChantedEvening]

18. Be safe and keep us posted please

:loveya: :grouphug:

[Marrah_G]

20. Please be careful and make sure not to let the snow drifts cover your house vents.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

23. I'm worried about my mom and sister.

They battened down and brought in plenty of wood, but still I worry.

[Le Taz Hot]

26. FWIW

Still quiet in the Central San Joaquin Valley. No freezes expected which means the citrus crop should be OK.

[kpete]

28. I am in Mammoth Lakes, CA

we expect 5 to 10 feet of snow - FEET, Oh My!!!

6 inches per hour predicted