Snow report, 12/16/08

4:30 pm – the sun came out around 3 pm, and has been busy turning everything to mud and slush. Still quite a bit of snow in the shadier portions of the property, and amazingly, the garden is still covered, but the road is completely devoid of snow, and very muddy. Before I sign off for the evening, just to remind people, it is expected to be EXTREMELY cold tonight, and there could be black ice on the roads. All forecasts models are consistent on that. What is not consistent is the amount of moisture, or exactly how low the snow levels were go. So be careful tonight, and tomorrow morning.

1:30 pm – Snowed for 45 minutes, but now the sun is trying to come out. Power out in entire “town” of Big Sur as of 15 minutes ago. PG&E has been notified.

12:30 – OMG the snow is REALLY coming down, again! NWS, I guess you were right to want to check this every 1/2 hour. Busy day up here, but not 1/2 as busy as you guys are! Last time it snowed like this, I got about an inch in less than an hour! What a winter sleigh ride!! Big flakes. BIG flakes!!

Noon – here is a shot of Cal-Trans plowing the hail in Big Sur taken around 11 am. WOOHOO!! Is this fun, or what?

And here is one of Mt. Manuel (I think – let me know if I am wrong, Debbie). Both these pic were taken by Debbie Reed of Blaze Engineering. Ain’t technology grand?

BTW, Debbie, this is an absolutely GORGEOUS shot!! You are giving some some serious competition here, girlfriend!

11 am – Cal-Trans reportedly plowing hail in Big Sur proper, per Blaze Engineering.

As of 9:30 am, the NWS extended the winter weather warning throug this afternoon. From the NWS forecast discussion:

“HAVE EXTENDED THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH

 THE AFTERNOON FOR THE MOUNTAINS SOUTH OF SAN FRANCISCO."

As promised, here is Cone Peak. If I get a better opportunity later, I will replace this, as you can see the clouds are settling down on top of it.

9:00 am and here is a photo of my road and the back of my Jeep. You see it?? Huh, huh? Trust me, it is there. I just called the Court of Appeal and let them know I was snowed in!

8:00 am – thunder, lightning, hail, and snow! What an exciting morning it is! Bear-dog has to bark at the thunder to let it know who is on guard duty. He’s going to be very busy today!

7:45 am – nice snow flurries comin’ down! I mean considerable snow. Will really add to that which is already on the ground! WOW! It is really coming down!

2-3 inches of snow being reported by CHP in the Santa Cruz Mtns. – specifically Highway 17 at county line, and Highway 35 at Bear Creek. CT plowing snow!

More snow expected tonight. White Christmas this year!

These shots were taken at 7 pm last night, while the snow was 
falling. I got additional snow during the night, but at least 
the road appears clear. If I can get a good shot of Cone Peak, 
I will post that later.
And now, this is a part of what was posted on the NWS forecast
discussion. Snow levels reported down to 1600 ft. in some areas.

DISCUSSION...AS OF 4:50 AM PST TUESDAY...VERY BUSY...SORRY TO
BE RUNNING LATE. SNOW ADVISORY ISSUED UNTIL 10 AM FOR ALL THE 
ZONES ABOVE 1000 FEET IN ELEVATION. (Ed note: this was added
for the morning commute, as snow reported at 1600 ft on Highway
17, and icy on San Rafael bridge in Sonoma)