First Day of Spring, and Storm Report, 3/20/18

5:30 pm – Chalk Peak is up to almost 1/2 and inch and Mining Ridge has almost reached 1” and the heavy stuff is still to come.

3:30 pm –  From NWS: “SUMMARY…HEAVY RAINS TO BEGIN OVERSPREADING THE CENTRAL/SOUTHERN CA COASTAL RANGES LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND THROUGH THIS EVENING AS ATMOSPHERIC RIVER CONDITIONS COMMENCE. SOME RUNOFF CONCERNS WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG WITH ISOLATED FLASH FLOODING CONCERNS NEAR ANY BURN SCAR AREA.

So far, no reported problems in Big Sur, but the front just hit my place at 3:37 pm and there has been a significant increase in the rate of rain that is now falling.

3 pm – Regional radars continue to show rain increasing in coverage along the Central Coast this afternoon. Rain rates expected to increase this evening & overnight there, greatest rain totals in the coastal mountains.

Noon: Mandatory Evacuations in red, recommended in yellow, issued today at noon.

Noon: NOAA issued the following map today, but it applies to Wednesday through Thursday. Note, all of Mo Co appears to be in the high risk area:

9:30 Changed the header to a happier, spring photo to celebrate the vernal equinox. Of course, the big story today is the storm. The rain already started in town, around 7:30 am. Here, it has been drizzle only and the precipitation map is showing nothing for Chalk Peak, yet. It is coming.

“The greatest rainfall totals will be along the coastal ranges of the Santa Lucia Mountains where 3.00″ to 6.00″ will be likely with isolated amounts approaching 10.00″. (Previously expected for Chalk Peak and Mining Ridge.) With this, the greatest potential for small stream flooding and mudslides, rock slides and debris flows will be along the Big Sur coast.”

I will be reporting throughout the day as needed, particularly with regard to any reports I get about the road.