Build Your Ark, and Gather the Animals

It is going to rain and rain hard.  Perhaps not for 40 days and 40 nights, but we are looking at over 6" of rain possible in the valley and upwards of 10" of precip over the Sierra Crest.  We got the first shot or rain yesterday, but that was just a teaser.  Thursday looks to be mostly fair with increasing clouds and a chance of rain increasing as the day continues.  More likely in the north bay.

Then it is game on with a storm moving into the area on Friday and bands continuing for the most part of a week.  Rain events seem to peek on Saturday and again on Monday/Tuesday.  In between the heavy periods of rain, we can expect moderate to heavy, and consistent rain - with little breaks.

The air was cooled by the old front that produced Tuesday's rain event, and snow levels should begin at or below 6000 feet.  Things warm up a little on Saturday, with snow/rain level rising to about 7500 feet before dropping with the passing of another cold front.  Still, this weather pattern will not bring the cold like the one we had in November.  But it will bring the snow, with upward of 6-10 feet by the end of the process.

As for the ski conditions, the resorts may have a hard time getting things open through this weather pattern, but expect freshies.  Now the hero powder, and not the mashed potatoes, but something in between.  And the big lines will fill in, for those of you who like a little adrenalin rush.  This should put the resorts in full swing by the Holiday week, as it looks like we may again move into a period of sunny skies by the 24th.  If you are headed up to the hills this weekend, drive with care, carry chains, and have a 4WD.  Best times for travel look like Friday morning, late Sunday and Monday.  By the time this thing is over, we can expect up to 50% of average annual snow fall, and about that much in our water year.  We may finally see ourselves move out of that drought, if we are lucky.

And the produce.  Word out there is that strawberries have been harvested in Salinas this week.  I mean, it is freaking December.  Go figure.  But that should get shut down by Friday.  Berries really do not like a pounding rain fall.  Also expect to see some damage to romaine and head lettuce.  Leaf lettuce may make it through, but I'd still expect to see a jump in price. Farmers may also need to pull out their root vegetables if the ground gets too wet.  We will need to see how it all comes to play.  With this much water in a short period of time, it is real hard to get that water to absorb.  Speaking of which...

If you, or your interest, live near a creek or river, keep a close eye over the next week.  This is flood weather, especially with a snow level hovering in the 5500-7500 foot range.  That means a lot of water will run off the mountains, into the creeks and rivers.  The Central Valley can be especially susceptible to  this.  And never drive your car into running water.