Subject: Re: Upcoming stormAll,CHP has requested closing Hwy 1 as of 6 PM tonight due to rocks in the roadway. Big Sur is closing the North end at Fuller’s and Cambria is closing the South end at Ragged Point.This will be a soft closure like we’ve done in the past and the gates at either slide are not going to be locked at this point. I’ll call Shane and get the CMS’s activated.Please feel free to respond or call me if you have any questions at all.Thanks.
Mud/Rock/Slide
Per the CHP. Note, the MM 32.60 is not 5 miles north or Esalen, but at Hot Springs Bridge between the north and South Gate.
| 00379 | 6:24 PM | Mud/Dirt/Rock | Sr1 / Esalen | SR1 5 MI JNO ESALEN , MM 32.60 | Monterey |
No highway closure today
Both Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) sites looked good this morning and the forecast for today/tonight has gone down so there will be no preemptive closure today. Crews will assess again tomorrow.
Winter is here, there is a line of storms in the forecast, there is a possibility we may need to preemptively close Hwy. 1 with less than 48 hours’ notice. Crews will continue to assess the sites, monitor the forecast, and provide an update as conditions warrant.
Storm Report, Sunday, 1/6/19
3:45 pm – I just came across an excellent article by John Lindsey, a meterologist in SLO on several possible reasons why the storm door is now open. It is worth your time to read.
https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/weather/weather-watch/article223980785.html
10:45 – From NWS – Radar indicates a strong cell near the Point Sur lighthouse. Heavy rain may cause localized flooding. Strong winds to 40 mph possible as well.
Photo Sunday – Tenacious Tomatos
These guys are doing their damnest to produce fruit right up until the first snow. A week’s worth of below freezing temps, and they STILL hang on. In case you are wondering, my tomatoes of choice for up here are Champion, Celebrity, Ace, and Early Girl. All proven producers for my environment. This was taken on Friday, before the storm. I’ll pick all the remainder during the next break in the weather and let them finish indoors. They gave me a lot of salsa, tomato sauce, and BLTs.
Photo Sunday, 1/6/19
From our trip to Hesperia. This was taken on the way home, 46 East a week ago Friday. Wish our roads were like this…sigh… (not straight, just deserted.)
Temporary Closure of Highway One likely by Sunday 5 pm.
The storm forecast has changed and gone up significantly with heavy rain predicted Sunday evening and overnight, Jan. 6th into Jan. 7th. Crews will assess tomorrow morning (Sunday, Jan. 6) and continue to monitor the forecast.
There is a high likelihood Hwy. 1 at Mud Creek (PM 8.9) and Paul’s Slide (PM 21.6) will each close by 5 pm tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 6.
An update will be provided by noon tomorrow after staff assessment is made.
Storm Report, 1/5/19
2 pm –
9:30 am – still a bit windy, but also a steady rain for the last hour or so. Loving the sound. Due to the generosity of a teacher at Pacific Valley School and her husband, I now have a truckload of firewood to see me through these storms. I am feeling rich, so splurging with a little fire during the day, which I normally don’t do. Thank you Ellen & Bill. And thank you to Rock Knocker who delivered it and stacked it, much inside in my fireplace room so I don’t have to brave the cold, windy, rain.
5:45 am – from the NWS: “Those along the northern and central California coastlines, including the Bay Area, should keep their eyes open for strong to briefly severe thunderstorms, especially, later today. Severe thunderstorms may contain damaging winds, waterspouts, and tornadoes.”
I will add to this post as necessary throughout the day, but weather forecasters are saying “the storm door is open” and expect rain for much of this next week.
Controlled Burns today, 1/4/19
There are two noticed controlled burns today. One is on FHL, the other is on the Hearst Ranch. This last one is to be quite large, 1400 acres I think the notice said. Sorry, I forgot to post it yesterday. Here is a photo by Anni Agren taken today down toward the Hearst Ranch.
Upcoming Storm
Off to stock up on supplies, but wanted to post this first:
Friday will be a transitional day with increasing clouds, warmer overnight lows and southerly winds as an intense storm develops off the Northern California coastline.
The models are indicating that a 975 millibar low-pressure system will be centered about 100 miles west of Cape Mendocino on Friday with the associated cold front moving through the Central Coast on Saturday with moderate gale-force to strong gale-force (32 to 46 mph) southerly winds along the coastline and moderate to heavy rain. Rain showers are expected on Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Total rainfall amounts are forecast to range between 1.00 and 1.75 inches. This storm will also produce snow across the Sierra Nevada above 5,000 feet with more than a foot of snow possible over the higher terrain.
Partly cloudy and dry weather is expected on Monday, before another low-pressure system brings additional wet and unsettled weather next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
(Graphic by NoCal NWS. Prediction by John Lindsey of PGE, SLO)