After a brief warm-up in much of Mendocino County, cold and wet weather is expected to return this weekend and will likely cover the mountains with thick blankets of snow, the National Weather Service reported.
"Another winter storm will build this weekend with heavy snow expected in the mountains along with some interior valley locations," the forecast prepared by the Eureka office of the NWS reports. "This storm system has the potential to be very high impact for the region with numerous power outages caused from the heavy snow load and gusty winds. Travel may be nearly impossible over many of the highway passes for several hours with the frontal passage Saturday morning and additional heavy snow on Sunday will result in difficult travel beyond that time frame.
"The heaviest precipitation rates will occur during the morning hours, with snowfall accumulations from 2 to 10 inches between 1000 to 2000 feet, and 1 to 2 feet of snow above 2000 feet," the NWS further explains. "With warmer air and less moisture support, less snow will fall in Lake and Mendocino counties, but 4 to 8 inches is still expected along the high elevations of Highway 101."
On Sunday, "an additional 0.5 to 1.5 feet is expected above 2000 feet with 2 to 8 inches at mid elevations."
NWS forecast for the weekend and beyond:
- Saturday: Rain before 10 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 10 a.m. Some of the storms could produce small hail. High near 42. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
- Saturday night: Rain showers before 1 a.m., then rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 34. Breezy, with a southwest wind 11 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
- Sunday: Rain and snow showers, becoming all rain after 10 a.m. Some thunder is also possible. High near 43. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Sunday night: Rain likely before 1 a.m., then rain and snow likely. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
- Monday: Rain and snow likely, becoming all rain after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
No comments:
Post a Comment