Storm Watch, 12/19/10

10:00 pm – I am going to end today’s storm watch with a note that I’ve been scouring the reports, predictions, and guesses about the next couple days, it is hard to determine how much of the storm is going to hit us. Doesn’t look like tomorrow should be too bad, scattered showers are predicted, but Tuesday could bring periods of heavy rain. For right now, it is quiet, for a change. So tonight, I have two more Christmas Trees to share.

And here are some really outstanding photos taken at Willow Creek this afternoon by Jeff Parrish. Thanks, Jeff! Wow, is it flowing!

5:20 pm CHP is reporting mud/rock/debris slide on Highway One at Harmony Valley Rd. (just south of Cambria) No details available. Highway One at Ocean Ave. is reporting unknown traffic hazard. Also read the Nasty-Fergy Rd report below. I’m not the only one who is getting cut off from the world! Didn’t we do this in early 1998, I think it was?

4:30 pm – Rain totals
Today, last 8 hours: .75 inches
24-hour total: 3.0
Storm total: 5.75
Season to-date: 16.25
Your results may vary

Report from local resident that Nasty-Fergy is closed on the East side at the river in Liggett where a tree fell and damaged the bridge. Reports are that this will remain closed until approximately January 21st. The river crossing is closed due to high water. On the west side of NF Rd., I have one report that Lion’s Creek was pretty muddy this morning, and will probably be closed tonight.

2 pm – In other weather-related news, Oceano in SLO Co. near the airport is being evacuated due to flooding.

That was taken at about 1:30 am this morning. Looks like the lights of Gorda in the distance. Thanks, Michael! Oh, and I understand Michael got a flat tire from this. Highway One after dark during storms like this is dangerous. Sometimes, locals like Michael have to get home, but anyone who doesn’t HAVE to be on the road after dark, shouldn’t be!

This was taken today, around noon. Thank you Jefé!

1:00 pm – From a fellow weather watcher in Paso Robles: “just heard on NOAA radio that the storm coming in mon-wed is suppose to have heavier rains and winds than what we’re getting this weekend….” Oh, sounds like fun, doesn’t it?

12:30 For SLO Co. – Weather radio has issued a a flash flood warning with a possibility of debris flows in creeks, streams, and rivers also a warning for flooding in low lying areas …..they’re saying heavy rains due in this afternoon…the flash flood warning is in place till 5 p.m. Predictions are for up to 5-7 inches in the Coastal Mtns of SLO Co. BTW, checking CHP for SLO Co. there are too many closures due to weather to even list here. So, for all my friends in SLO Co. BE CAREFUL. STAY OFF THE STREETS IF YOU CAN!

Also, be aware there is a mud/rock/debris flow on NB 101 in Hollister, just north of Cole Rd. It is blocking at least one lane. CT is working on it.

Highway One experiencing flooding in parts of SLO Co. and Marin Co. Here is what Cal-Trans says:

[IN THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AREA] IS CLOSED 2.3 MI NORTH OF THE SANTA BARBARA/SAN LUIS OBISPO CO LINE – DUE TO FLOODING – A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

IS CLOSED 0.7 MI SOUTH OF GROVER BEACH (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO) – DUE TO FLOODING – A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

IS CLOSED 1.7 MI SOUTH OF PISMO BEACH (SAN LUIS OBISPO CO) – DUE TO FLOODING – A DETOUR IS AVAILABLE

THE SOUTHBOUND CONNECTOR TO NORTHBOUND US 101 (MARIN CO) IS CLOSED – DUE TO FLOODING – MOTORISTS ARE ADVISED TO USE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE

Here is the 11 am satellite photo. Thanks Firefighter Mike! No question this one is barreling right down on the Central California coast. Hang on!

As of 9:30 am this is part of NOAA’s forecast discussion. Looks like we will see a bit of a break Monday into Tuesday morning, with the next storm hitting Tuesday night into Wednesday. Now they are predicting rain on Christmas, a couple days ago, it was to be clear. Oh, well.

“SATL IMAGERY IS INDC A COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF LIGHTNING STRIKES OFF THE NORTHWEST CA COAST ASSOCIATED WITH A CONVECTIVE BAND. THE CURRENT FORECAST HAS A SLIGHT CHC OF THUNDERSTORMS FOR TODAY THROUGH MONDAY…WHICH LOOKS GOOD. EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER MIGHT BE MORE SHOWERY THIS AFTN AND NIGHT… RAINFALL COULD BE LOCALLY HEAVY IN ANY CONVECTIVE CELLS.”

8:30 am –
overnight – 2.25 inches.
24-hour total – 3 inches
Storm total – 5.75 inches
Season total – 15.5 inches
CHP is not reporting any problems with Highway One in Big Sur, but so many blocked roadways due to trees down or mudslides in the Santa Cruz mtns. I can’t even count. Even Cal-Fire can’t get thru! Frankly, knowing Highway One as I do, I cannot believe it is not an absolute mess.

Waterfalls into Big Sur River:

And here are the satellite photos:

And look at this plume, it goes all the way back to Tahiti!

Thanks, Dave for sending me these!

At 4 am this morning, this info from NOAA: “IR AND SATELLITE WATER VAPOUR IMAGES ARE SHOWING A SIGNIFICANT PLUME OF TROPICAL MOISTURE CURRENTLY LOCATED AROUND 130W WHICH IS HEADED TOWARDS MONTEREY AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES. MODELS SOLUTIONS INDICATE THAT THIS MOISTURE SHOULD IMPACT THE COASTLINE BETWEEN 1200 AND 1500Z (4 – 7 am, PST) WHICH WILL COINCIDE WITH THE PASSAGE OF A BOUNDARY ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CURRENTLY CENTERED IN THE GULF OF ALASKA. AS THESE TWO FEATURES PASS OVER SOUTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY EXPECT MODERATE RAIN THAT COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES. THIS MODERATE RAIN MAY RESULT IN SOME URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING AND A POTENTIAL FOR SMALL SCALE DEBRIS FLOWS. THIS SITUATION WILL BE MONITORED CLOSELY SO PLEASE MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND YOUR LOCAL NEWS CHANNEL FOR UPDATES ON THIS POTENTIAL SITUATION.”

This is the rain forecasted to be received from 4 am today until 4 am tomorrow: