We have had an impressive storm over the past few days, and another is moving through the region today. Last night saw strong gusts across the region's bridges and hill tops. The Sierra crest experienced 100mph plus winds. Another 3 feet of snow fell at the highest elevations in the past 24 hours and there is plenty more to come in the week ahead.
The rest of today looks like it will have periods of clouds, showers and, at times, heavy rains. There are flood warnings in the San Lucia above Big Sur, and areas around the delta. Flood gates have been shut in Sacramento. Route 1 fell into the ocean in Big Sur. Mayhem ensued. The ground is already super saturated. Any rain will cause heavy flow in the creeks and rivers. Moderate to heavy rains will allow for debris to move down stream as well as create flooded areas. This is turning out to be quite a March.
Snow levels have risen a bit since yesterday morning and it is mostly snow above 3500 feet. They may drop again to below 2000 feet by Monday morning. Another several feet of snow is expected by mid day on Monday. Then showery weather, and some clearing, until some time on Wednesday. Another set of storms is expected to move through from mid day Wednesday through perhaps next Sunday and Monday. This is all starting to feel a bit biblical. The skiing is good (and great by March standards) but the resorts are going to have a difficult time getting lifts and terrain open over the next week. OTOH, whatever is open, will be epic. As far as the BC goes, it is super sketch out there right now. And for anyone driving in the mountains, be prepared. Carry a shovel. I spent about an hour of my evening on Friday digging out two 4WD vehicles that thought it wise to try and drive over avalanche debris. They were high ended, and stuck in an active slide path. Luckily, we all got out of there safely, just before Caltrans closed the road. Carry food, water, warm clothes, chains and a shovel if traveling in the Sierra this week and next.
We can expect the same pattern down here in the bay. After tonight, the storms should abate for a few days. We may even see some sun on Monday or Tuesday. Tuesday may even break 60F in some parts of our region. Santa Cruz remains the most likely to see sun and warmth. By Tuesday night, rain returns. The heaviest precipitation should arrive on Thursday and last into Friday. The weekend may have a slight break, with a possible storm again on Sunday. As it stands now, it looks like we may actually see a clearing pattern next week, starting around Tuesday. But don't get too excited, as storms may return to the region during the first week of April.
Monday, and especially Tuesday look mild. Storminess returns late Tuesday, and builds through Thursday. By late Friday, we may see some milder conditions, and a chance as some real sun by the weekend (just don't place your bets yet). Another quick system moves through Sunday and Monday of next week, and a possibility of several days of clearing as we enter April. Currently, it looks like storms return around the 4th. Stay tuned.
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