Tag: Big Sur

Flash Flood Watch-Soberanes Burn Area

From the National Weather Service:

Flash Flood Watches, High Wind Watches and high tidal cycles will continue to be the main concerns. The main impacts from the front will occur Thursday afternoon/evening through the per-dawn hours of Friday.
Rock slides have already occurred that closed Highway 1 overnight, further slides are possible. Monterey County Public Works and Office of Emergency Services are monitoring weather and road conditions. Of particular concern are the areas affected by the Soberanes Fire where rain totals could be the highest.

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Upcoming Rain Event(s)

11:00 AM – UPDATE FROM NWS:

“FLASH FLOOD WATCH – Sobreanes and Chimney Burn Scar areas
This message is for any of the areas inside/alongside/or downslope of the Soberanes and Chimney Burn Scar Areas. The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH for your area. The FLASH FLOOD WATCH is in effect from 12/15/2016 10:00 AM to 12/16/2016 4:00 AM PST. A WATCH is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set their plans in motion can do so.”

Rain will return to our region starting on Tuesday and be mostly focused on the North Bay at first. By Thursday a second system with a cold front will produce widespread rainfall that could be heavy at times along with gusty winds.

UPDATED INFORMATION
· This is the first statement for the upcoming systems.
IMPACTS

*Impact (Rain from the first system):
· (Did not include as the bulk of the impact is north of SF)
*Impact (Rain from the second system):
· Widespread rain can be expected starting late Wednesday night and down to the remainder of our region on Thursday as a cold front goes through.
· Rain will likely be moderate to heavy at times as the front approaches. Any locations that have prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rain will have the potential for flooding.
· Debris flows are of concern especially around coastal ranges and recent burn scars.
· Rainfall amounts are forecast to range from 2 to 4 inches for coastal ranges with locally more than 6 inches possible. For urban spots generally 3/4″ to 1 3/4″ can be expected. .
o Please see attach graphic (part 2) for potential rainfall amounts. However, please do not focus on exact values.
o Please not that the bulk of the rain may fall during a short period leading to a heightened risk of flooding.
· Driving conditions will likely be poor with ponding on roadways along with low visibility.
· Locations with poor drainage and intersections and on/off ramps prone to flooding will likely have flooding.
*Impact (Wind from the second system):
· South to southeast winds will increase Wednesday evening into Thursday as a cold front approaches our region.
· The strongest winds will be on Thursday with many urban locations likely to see gusts of 25 to 35 mph.
· Higher elevation spots will likely see gusts of 35 to 45 mph with some areas gusting to over 55 mph.
o Please see attach graphic for general wind gusts Thursday afternoon. However, please be aware that peak gusts could be higher.
· Locally strong winds will make for difficult driving conditions.
· The winds could topple trees and power lines especially for locations that are susceptible to winds that funnel in from the south or higher elevation locations.

*Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories:
· Currently none in effect although watches and advisories are likely to be issued as the event gets closer.
· For all current watch/warning/advisories, http://1.usa.gov/1boSTTW
FORECAST CONFIDENCE
· Moderate to high for rainfall and wind.
LOCATIONS
· This is for the entire San Francisco and Monterey Bay Region..
Weather Summary
Wet weather returns as two systems will bring a return to rainy conditions to our region. The first system will mostly be focused north of San Francisco with moderate amounts of rain expected Tuesday into Wednesday. A bigger concern is with the second system mainly on Thursday that will bring widespread moderate to even heavy rainfall to our region as a cold front goes through. Gusty southerly winds can also be expected with the second system.
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Highway One closes in Big Sur

9 am – Road open

CAL TRANS
NEWS RELEASE

Highway 1 will be open at 9:00 A.M.

Location: SLO/Monterey County – Hwy. 1 between Ragged Point (SLO, Postmile 72.87) to 1.9 miles south of Big Sur (MON, PM 42.2) n

All lanes of Highway 1 were closed du to mud/rock slide at 11 PM on 12/8/16

Please drive safely as rocks will continue to fall off the hillside throughout this rain event.

8:30 am – road expected to be clear by 9 am, although Lucia reports travelers from both directions.

UPDATE: 7;14 AM –
6:52 AM 6 [10] ITS CLOSED BETW MM 42.2 AND RAGGED POINT (42 IS GRIMES CANYON)

UPDATE: AS OF 6:18 AM, THE CHP REQUESTS NOTIFICATION FROM CAL TRANS WHEN THE HIGHWAY IS OPEN AGAIN.

As of a bit before midnight, there is a hard closure on HIghway One at Ragged Point to the south, and Ventana to the north due to a rock and mudslide at Limekiln.

Incident: 00541 Type: CLOSURE of a Road
Location: Sr1 / Limekiln
Loc Desc: BT RAGGED PT AND VENTANA
Lat/Lon: 36.007778 -121.515556
Detail Information
11:32 PM 4 [7] 1039 SLO W/INFO
11:30 PM 3 [6] 1039 ENTAC
11:28 PM 2 [4] PER SCOTT W/CT – HARD CLOSURE AT VENTANA IN BIG SUR and RAGGED POINT
11:26 PM 1 [3] HWY 1 CLOSED
Unit Information
11:30 PM 2 Unit Assigned
11:30 PM 1 Unit At Scene

LPNF Closure modified

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GOLETA, CA, December 8, 2016…Los Padres National Forest officials today reduced the Soberanes Fire closure order to the area that burned during the fire, effectively reopening the southern portion of the Monterey Ranger District to the public. Forest Service law enforcement officers will strictly enforce the closure order, which carries a penalty of $5,000 and/or six months in jail. This order will expire Dec. 4, 2017.

The new Soberanes Fire Closure Area begins at the northwest corner of Section 1, Township 17 South, Range 1 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian and continues east following the National Forest boundary to its intersection with Camel Valley Road. The closure then continues south and east along the Forest Boundary to its intersection with private property in Section 31, Township 20 South, Range 5 East, continuing south and east along the Ventana Wilderness Boundary paralleling the western edge of the Arroyo Seco/Indians Road to its intersection with Escondido Campground. The closure then continues west along the Lost Valley Trail to its intersection with the North Coast Trail via the Lost Valley Connector, then north along the North Coast Trail to its intersection with the North Coast Ridge Road. It then continues north and west along the North Coast Ridge Road to its intersection with State Highway 1, then north along State Highway 1 to its intersection with Palo Colorado Road and east back to the starting point, as shown on the attached map.
Closure of the fire area aims to help ensure that members of the public are not injured within the fire perimeter, and allows for the scorched landscape to begin the rehabilitation process.
For more information, visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.
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Today’s Forecast Discussion, 12/7/16

3:30 pm – 12/7/2016 Weather update

“Attached are anticipated rain totals for the upcoming rain event. There is a tropical moisture connection in this system so rain rates could be greater but for short periods of time. NWS emphasizing estimated rainfall totals are over a number of days.

Forecasters are not expecting any watches or warning at this time, but always be mindful that could happen as the storm hits landfall and develops. Plan ahead appropriately.

As always if you see anything significant happening you think we should be mindful of, please call the OES Duty Officer (DO) Line at 831-796-1920. That line is monitored 24/7. ”

(This summarizes the two attachments referenced above):

“Unsettled weather conditions likely from this evening through Saturday morning. Greatest rainfall amounts will be across the North Bay and along the Coastal Ranges of the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast.
UPDATED INFORMATION
· Updates are highlighted in yellow. Forecast confidence has increased with respect to the greatest storm total rainfall amounts being mostly confined to the coastal ranges.
IMPACTS

*Impact (Rain):
· A wet pattern will return to our region late this afternoon and evening with rain possible off-and-on through Friday.
· Rainfall amounts are forecast to be greatest along the coastal ranges where storm total amounts in excess of 5″ will be possible.
o Please see attach graphic for potential rainfall amounts. However, please do not focus on exact values.
· Wet roadways likely to result in hazardous driving conditions, especially during morning/afternoon commuting hours Thursday and Friday.
· Reduced visibilities and ponding on roadways during periods of moderate to heavy rainfall.
· Clogged storm drains and rain gutters will likely result in localized urban flooding.
*Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories:
· Currently none in effect.
· For all current watch/warning/advisories, http://1.usa.gov/1boSTTW
FORECAST CONFIDENCE
· Moderate for rainfall amounts across the region.
LOCATIONS
· This is for the entire San Francisco and Monterey Bay Region. The highest rainfall totals are expected over the coastal ranges from Sonoma County southward through Monterey County where 3″ to 5″ will be possible through late week.
· Rainfall amounts and intensity will be much less across inland valley locations.
Weather Summary
A change in the weather pattern will result in increased chances for precipitation across the region from tonight through early Saturday as deeper moisture advects into the California coast. Rainfall will increase in intensity and coverage tonight and continue off and on through Saturday morning with the heaviest likely to occur tonight into Thursday morning and again Thursday night into Friday. With this system, the greatest rainfall totals will likely remain confined to the coastal ranges while inland valley locations will receive lesser amounts.”

“DISCUSSION…as of 09:10 AM PST Wednesday…Cool temperatures reported across the region this morning with many near or below freezing for a few hours before sunrise. This was even with the increased mid/high level cloud cover pushing across the region. These clouds will limit overall warming today as deeper moisture begins to advect into the region from the Pacific. At this time, only a few locations across the North Bay are reporting light rainfall as the lower levels remain dry over the remainder of the region. As the day progresses, the atmospheric profile will moisten and will likely result in an increase in light rain across much of the region by late this evening. As typical with these types of systems, the coastal ranges will see rainfall begin first and will also accumulate the most while inland valley locations will receive much less. Have made a few updates to the forecast to  reflect the most short-range model data in regards to timing and amount of precipitation through this evening….

Rainfall totals by Saturday evening will range from more than 4″ for some coastal hills, to generally 1 to 2.5″ for the bulk of our urban locations. Lesser amours can be expected for southern sections especially inland spots.”

Up here it was 35 degrees at dawn. Still quite chilly. Tree came down yesterday. It split close to the ground and blocked Plaskett. I was able to head off into the brush and get around it, but went down today with a friend to chain saw it open. Some nice oak for firewood, eventually.

Soft, Gentle Rain, 11/28/16

A surprise rain this am – up to .16″ by 7 am. Was not expecting this. No reports of traffic problems on Highway One in Big Sur.

Rain Reports, 11/26/16

6:57 pm – a major downpour at the rate of almost 4″ and hour. That lasted for a few minutes, and now just consistent rain, heavy at times.

9:30 am – here is the weather spotter number for NWS-Monterey Bay: 800-826-7827. Call this number if you spot ANY debris flow anywhere near the Soberanes Fire area. Note the location (GPS coordinates a plus) and date and time. If you have a photo of it send to:

nws.bayarea@noaa.gov

The more info we send them early in the winter, the more they can fine-tune their predictions later in the season.

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7 am – It started about 6 am, and within an hour, I had about 1/2″ of rain. I don’t see any reports of road problems, yet, but there are bound to be rocks on the road, so drive carefully. I will check back throughout the day, but please share any information you have. In my trip north on Turkey Day, I saw several spots in Big Sur Valley which could be very problematic this winter. Stock up, keep gassed up, and take care of each other.

River Inn Pig Roast for Big Sur Locals

Hello Big Sur community! We would like to invite you to a gathering of the locals at the Big Sur River Inn. We hope that you will join us on Tuesday, November 22nd for a pig roast and a chance to come together for some relaxation and recuperation from a challenging summer. This event is an open invitation to our staff and our community-and a wonderful chance for some good ol’ Big Surian camaraderie.

This is a sweet opportunity, and I wish I could go, but I need to be home before sunset to take care of the dogs – and I’d have to leave River Inn about the time this starts to get home – the sun sets so friggin’ early this time of year!! I’ll be there in spirit.

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