I am going to add a couple weather links to my blog to the right, under 2014-2015 El Niño, but before I do, I wanted to share them here, for those who want to try them out and/or bookmark them.

The first is a California weather blog that is really good by a Stanford graduate. For the first time in reading the current article, I understand (sorta) how they can predict the winds.

The California Weather Blog

And here is one to the California River Forecast Center, to keep appraised of the rising rivers in the State. Hopefully they will continue to rise after this upcoming heavy-duty storm, but not so much that they take out Bridges as happened in … 1995? With the Carmel River Bridge. I may have forgotten the year, but I will never forget the experience. I, some high schoolers, and a couple of chaperones could not get home.

Cslifornia River Forecast Center

Do you have a favorite weather link to share? Please do so in the comments section below.

As Lisa pointed out in the comment section of my initial post on this, due to numerous calls to numerous people and agencies, the bridge on Ft H-L over San Antonio River has been opened to all but trucks over a certain limit. Thank you all
for calling in. I’ve been too busy to do so.

In your preparations for mudslides on Highway One, particularly if we get one in both directions, a reminder (as Peter reminded me) that the main bridge on Ft. Hunter Liggett has been closed for a year. The detour is a river crossing over San Antonio River (I mistakenly put Nacimiento, until XT pointed out my error) which, while things have been dry, has been a good option. If the river gets too full or fast flowing, the base will close down that option, and even if they don’t, it could easily get too dangerous for most vehicles to cross. We have never been closed off in all 3 directions at the same time in my memory, or at least for more than a day or two. Keep that in mind while you make your preparations for the rest of Decembers storms. As NOAA NWS keeps saying, the storm door is open! Hope for the best, and plan for the worst, as the idiom states.

Highway is open and clear. Couple of minor slides, nothing too big.

Greg DeAlba, Supervisor, Willow Springs Maintenance Stayion.

Great job, Greg! You and your crew are awesome!

While I did a quick town trip to restock, I received .38″ of rain here, added to the .81″ I got yesterday, and Plaskett is a mess down at the bottom with the clay. It was just a bit slippery getting out, but coming up it was very slippery. Will most likely be impassable by tomorrow night. Pay close attention, this next few days could get ugly.

“Los Padres National Forest Announces Temporary Road Closures
Release Date: Dec 1, 2014 Santa Maria, CA
Contact(s): Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759, Santa Lucia Ranger District Office, (805) 925-9538 X 0

Los Padres National Forest officials announced temporary road and trail closures on the Santa Lucia Ranger District in response to the weather forecast for heavy rainfall, swollen and fast-moving creeks and streams, and the potential for significant debris on the road.
Until the weather clears and crews are able to safely assess the extent of surface conditions, the following roads and trails will be temporarily closed:

• La Brea/Colson area at the Forest boundary (Forest Road 11N04.4)
• Sierra Madre Road at intersection with Highway 166 (Forest Road 32S13.1)
• Bates Canyon past Bates Canyon Campground (Forest Road 11N01.3)
• Figueroa Mountain area at the Lookout (Forest Road 8N16), East Pinery (Forest Road 8N32) and Zaca Ridge Road (Forest Road 8N02)
• Pozo OHV Area: gates at Forest Roads 15E04, 29S02, 30S18, 29S01; and OHV Trails 29S16, 29S27, 16E22, 30S17, 16E05A, 30S17 and 16E21
• Rockfront Area at Forest Road 30S02
• Forest Service coordinates closure of Hi Mountain Road with San Luis Obispo County (30S05). Gates are at Pozo Fire Station and the Forest boundary on the Arroyo-Grande side
“Once the rain moves out and we evaluate the condition of road and stream crossings, we’ll take steps to rehabilitate these areas and re-open access to the public,” said Santa Lucia District Ranger Nathan Rezeau. “The goal is to minimize interruption for public motorized access to National Forest System lands, while emphasizing public safety and balancing resource protection needs.”
Members of the public are reminded that they should always call ahead to the district office for the latest conditions and consult the National Weather Service for current weather forecasts.
For more information, call the Santa Lucia District Office at (805) 925-9538.

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7:00 pm, while it is still early I am going to give a final report for the day as it seems all is quiet. And I am ready to settle in for the night.

Rainfall total: .81″ (at 9 pm it was .82″) for the day; 2.65″ (2.66″) for the month; 5.59″ (5.60″) thus far for the year. The maximum rain rate was 2.76″ an hour at 4:50 pm. The greatest wind gust was 33 mph at 8:05 am. If I’m forgetting anything, my weather station doesn’t measure it.

Tomorrow there is a break in the weather before a bigger storm slides in on Tuesday. I’m going to stock up, once again. This time of year, I stock up during every break, no matter how stocked I am.

10:00 am – Rain started in the very north end of Big Sur (Palo Colorado Canyon) around 7 am, it started here at 7:30. Didn’t really get heavy until about 9:30, but then it was significant. We currently have received .43″ but the barometric pressure is now raising rapidly. Will see if that means it is over.

Enjoy the quenching of the thirst of Mother Nature.

This was just before dawn. It’s perfectly clear here. Sun is rising from behind the Santa Lucia’s.

Here is the graphic and explanation for the next 5 days:

It could be a fun ride, boys and girls. We can hope, anyway.💦

Lots of traffic, lots of tourists, and the holidays are upon us. I am hoping to take most of the rest of this week off, unless something of importance happens. The next big storm is Saturday. I’ll be back then, if not before.

In the mean time … I am thankful for Big Sur, Mother Nature all around me, and all of you in my life. Happy Thanksgiving!

NOON: A day for fires in wood stoves, soup on the kitchen stove, cornbread in the oven, and dogs or cats curled up near or on one. A good book, a journal, or art supplies at one’s fingertips is a plus. Winter is but a month away and, for me, it is a time for introspection, solitude, and quiet.

I would have been going to a memorial for our local sweet man, Guy Kirby, but my road gets too slick to risk it, particularly with a bum knee, if I don’t have to. Guy would understand.

At noon, I have received a quarter inch. Always hoping for more. How have you done, so far?

View from the bath: