Here is the link drought monitor
Likely chance of rain on the 27th and 28th, but there are also early indications that early March may hold substantial rain. If so, maybe we can go from exceptional drought back down to extreme!
I am having trouble deciding whether to keep my links as-is (recently changed from fire to my winter weather watch links), go back to fire, or change to a combination, but pared down version of each. Think I’ll wait until mid-March and then decide.
Twice a year, the links on this blog change. (See links to the right.) Normally, we switch from fire season to rainy season links in November. This fire season went on WAY LONGER than expected, and thus we are just now changing back to the weather links we usually have up for this time of year. If you have a favorite weather link not listed, share it with us.
BTW, at 10 am I have .06″ of rain, and like virtually everyone in California, I am enjoying every one-hundredth of an inch!
This is the predicted rainfall through Saturday night, starting this afternoon in the North Bay and reaching us by tonight.see that little purple spot on the bottom, before the county line? That’s approximately where I am -indicating 2″.
I, bigsurkate, decided to edit out the entire article from the CA OES … it is too depressing, and just bring you the links so that those of you who want to track this 500 year drought can do so. I was going to forgo a garden this year, but I am thinking that the availability of produce may be curtailed, and the prices astronomical, so I might want and need to plant a garden. I want to make an accurate spring 24-hour delivery determination, first.
Snow Surveyors Find Sparse Snowpack, Drought Retains Grip on California
by Brad Alexander on January 30, 2014
If I was an alarmist, or a Prepper, this last sentence of this report would be cause for concern “… In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights.”
Electronic snowpack readings are available on the Internet at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/snow/current/snow/index.html
Reservoir conditions are found here:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reservoirs/RES
For a broader snapshot of current and historical weather conditions, see DWR’s “Water Conditions” and “Drought” pages: Water Conditions Page
http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/
Drought Page
A new drought category has been created. It is called, “exceptional drought.” It is the Category Five of droughts. The coastal portion of Big Sur is not yet in this category, but the mountain/eastern portions are. Including me. Coastal areas are in “extreme drought” or Category 4 conditions. As we all know, this is not good. It is even more surreal to write this as I watch the news of Atlanta recover from a little bit OS snow.
My rain gauge measured absolutely zilch today. I thought maybe when I moved it a few weeks ago I might not have gotten it straight, but considering that seems to be the consensus in other areas that showed some wetness, but no measurable rain, it probably is fine. I did get some dampness up here, but mostly under trees and on window screens. Certainly could not call it rain under anyone’s definition.
I am a native Californian. I have lived in this state all my life. I am going to be 65. I have never experienced anything like this. Extreme measures are in the works and necessary. Conserve, be aware, and educate those who aren’t.
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
206 PM PST THU JAN 23 2014
CAZ511-512-517-518-241015-
/O.EXA.KMTR.FW.W.0003.000000T0000Z-140124T2100Z/
EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO RANGE-SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS-
SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST-
MOUNTAINS OF SAN BENITO AND INTERIOR MONTEREY COUNTY INCLUDING
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK-
206 PM PST THU JAN 23 2014
…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST FRIDAY FOR GUSTY
WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR ALL MOUNTAINS ABOVE 1000 FEET…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS ISSUED A
RED FLAG WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST FRIDAY.
* AFFECTED AREA: FIRE ZONE 511 EAST BAY HILLS AND DIABLO
RANGE…FIRE ZONE 512 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS…FIRE ZONE 517
SANTA LUCIA MOUNTAINS AND LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST…FIRE
ZONE 518 MOUNTAINS OF SAN BENITO AND INTERIOR MONTEREY COUNTY
INCLUDING PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK.
* TIMING: UNTIL 1 PM FRIDAY AFTERNOON.
* WIND: EAST WINDS 10 TO 20 MPH WITH FREQUENT GUSTS TO 30 MPH OVER
THE RIDGES. WINDS WILL SHIFT TO THE SOUTHEAST LATE THIS EVENING
INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.
* HUMIDITY: STEADY FROM 12 TO 25 PERCENT DURING THE DURATION OF
THE WARNING.
* IMPACTS: THE COMBINATION OF DRY FUELS…GUSTY WINDS AND LOW
HUMIDITY WILL CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS WHERE
ANY NEW IGNITIONS WILL EXPERIENCE RAPID FIRE GROWTH.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.
It is gusting up to 35 mph on a regular basis up here.
As we head into the three day MLK Birthday weekend …
Some fresh Red Flags hoisted for Monterey and San Benito counties including the Monterey Ranger District of the Los Padres.
Big Sur RAWS was 84 degrees with 6% RH this afternoon…drier than during the Pfeiffer Fire.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_foreca…=mtr&version=0
PLEASE be careful, all our weekend guests. If you see any campfires outside the developed campgrounds of Plaskett, Kirk, Pfeiffer State Park, Riverside Campgrounds, Big Sur Campgrounds, or Fernwood. Please report it!
This photo Kodiak Greenwood took of the metal sculpture that Dave and John created last week at Treebones metal shop, to be auctioned this Saturday at the Benefit , all proceeds (thru CPOA) to Fire victims.
A natural disaster calls for a natural blast.
Here is the link to purchase tickets: tammyfirefly
In the wake of the Pfeiffer Fire in Big Sur that gripped the community with smoke and trepidation—and claimed more than 30 structures along one of the most scenic coastal ridges anywhere—a range of local groups have rallied to provide relief.
RiseBigSur and Luvlab Productions now join that push as they’re orchestrating a blockbuster event at a location TBA to ticket buyers—they promise an epic Big Sur setting—Saturday, Jan. 18.
Another rumor-summoning mystery surrounding the soiree? The possibility of a certain world-famous rock band with local ties making an appearance.
In the mean time, here’s what we know: Tickets are available for $50 at the Tammy Firefly site (proof of purchase and identification will need to be shown to get on the shuttle). A few days before the event, ticket holders will be given more details about the location.
So far, the entertainment offerings include music from SLO electronic-psych outfit Tropo Musik and ethereal singer-songwriter Marya Stark.
Several DJs (Kevin Dayspring, Joey Grajeda, Bryan Scott, Ardalan) will help keep the dancers dancing as well.
In addition to all the ear candy, there will be plenty of other-worldly performance art, Big Sur style, to stimulate the eyes.
The extensive list includes multi-talented contortionist Tammy Firefly herself, mermaid/snake charmer Adelaide Marcus, mystical Big Sur favorite RosaliaWebster and aerialists Lei Lei de Kirby and Paige Wyatt. San Luis Obispo aerial school Suspended Motion will put on a show that’ll blow some minds.
As for libations: Cayucos Beach Ale, specialty cocktails prepared by the DrinkMistress Vanessa Share and Shamanic Tea Service from RonJon Terlane will be offered for a donation. A silent auction with plenty of donated items to choose from will be available, including a metal sculpture of a Phoenix bird rising from the fire, made from reclaimed metal pieces from burnt homes on Pfieffer Ridge.
A couple more details: The Phoenix Benefit is a 21 and over gathering and it goes until 2am.
NWS has issued red flag watches and warnings for much of California due to record high temperatures, low RH recovery, and high winds. Be cautious.
Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest
GOLETA, CA, January 10, 2014…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect beginning tomorrow, January 11, 2014. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:
Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.
Posted by Butch Kronlund, CPOA
Important Road Closure Notice
The USFS is implementing a hard closure of Sycamore Canyon Road tomorrow, 12-27-13 beginning at 8 AM.
Residents are urged to be off the Road by 8 AM or use alternate routes, if available. Tourist traffic will be denied access while locals can expect 1/2 hour delays. This closure will be in effect until at least 12 noon and may last longer depending on progress in chipping and brush clearing operations.
