Month: June 2011

Storm System on its Way …

Okay, boys and girls, batten it down. Here is the NOAA forecast discussion – and look at those predicted totals for the Santa Lucias – 2 to 5 inches!!! – that’s us! That’s bound to wreck havoc with the schedule for opening the slide at Alder Creek. Being set back a couple of weeks is not out of the question. Workers being offered double time to work the slide in this rain are turning it down, and frankly, I don’t blame them! Everyone is tired and it would be so dangerous to work in what will be a record-breaking event!

“THIS LOOKS LIKE A POTENTIALLY RECORD-BREAKING EVENT FOR OUR AREA FOR EARLY JUNE.
…THEN REACHING THE MONTEREY BAY AREA BEFORE MIDNIGHT. HEAVIEST RAIN IS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. BUT AS THE UPPER LOW IS FORECAST TO REMAIN WOBBLING OFF THE COAST THROUGH SUNDAY…SHOWER CHANCES WILL PERSIST THROUGH THE WEEKEND. MODELS INDICATE A BREAK IN THE RAINFALL AFTER NOON TOMORROW…WITH RENEWED SHOWER CHANCES OVERNIGHT INTO SUNDAY.

STORM TOTAL QPF EXPECTED WITH THIS SYSTEM GIVES 2-5 INCHES ACROSS THE WETTEST AREAS INCLUDING NORTH BAY HILLS…SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS…AND THE SANTA LUCIAS. INLAND LOWER AREAS COULD GET UPWARDS OF 1-2 INCHES TOTAL. ALTHOUGH THE BASINS CAN HANDLE THIS AMOUNT OF RAINFALL SPREAD OUT OVER TWO DAYS…THESE ARE STILL BIG NUMBERS GIVEN WHERE WE ARE IN THE CALENDAR. THUS…SOME RECORD RAINFALL AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED FOR THE MONTH.

GIVEN THE PROXIMITY OF THE COLD UPPER LOW…THUNDERSTORMS ARE ALSO A POSSIBILITY…AND HAVE ADDED A SLIGHT CHANCE FOR SATURDAY THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT.”

I am beginning to think not only has spring been canceled, but summer has been significantly delayed. So, while the storm is raging outside, I will, hopefully, have time to upload the photos for the header contest, but that will be dependent on road and weather conditions. Bear with us on this one.

Road Rumors on the South Coast

Lots of rumors flying around about road conditions down here and on line.

First, let me address the Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. rumor. One person wrote that he heard the road was closed on base. Every Spring, there is a large practice bivouac training exercise. We are never told exactly when it will be held, for security purposes. For years, a sign has announced this possibility of delay at both ends of the road. It has been there so long, most of us don’t even notice it anymore. When this spring training happens, we are subject to delays, but rarely complete and utter closures of any significant length. Be patient. You will get through in all likelihood.

Second is Alder Creek. One source working the slide reports there is too much material to be moved in time for the anticipated opening of mid-June and says it will likely be around the first of July. Another source working the slide says the opening is on time. Obviously, both are not accurate, and neither is the official word. At this point, take a look at the photos, toss the bones, throw the chicken entrails, and we’ll probably get as accurate an assessment as we are likely to get. There is still a lot of material to be disposed of, and it is being trucked away. Due to a complaint re the use of jake brakes, according to one source, the trucks must take only partial loads, but the work day has been increased from 10 hours a day to twelve. Like I said – get out your Tarot cards and see what they say. I doubt even Cal-Trans can predict.

And then there is the upcoming storm – hard to predict what impact this will have on the slide, other than, “Not good.”

Spring has been canceled this year …

Or, at least that is what it feels like. A rather significant storm is coming in this weekend, it continues to be more of a winter weather pattern, than a spring one….and cold. The Solstice is less than 3 weeks away, it is just getting dark at 9 pm at night, it is 41 degrees outside, and I still can’t plant my dang tomatoes! I want to know … WHO CANCELED SPRING THIS YEAR?

My SLO weathercaster is indicating up to an inch of rain possible this weekend, but other reports I have seen show that Big Sur could experience up to 2 inches on Saturday and Sunday. Snow levels will be dropping in the Sierras, and if I get snow up here – I’m headed for the tropics!

So, I will try to sort through all the photographs and see if, during the rains this weekend, I can’t get the top ones up for your viewing pleasure. In the mean time, don’t put those long-johns away quite yet!