LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service said a powerful Pacific weather system expected to impact much of California from Wednesday evening through Friday morning, bringing with it a large amount of precipitation, high elevation snow and high winds.
For Lake County, the agency issued a high wind watch in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. Thursday and a flood watch that runs from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday.
A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous high wind event. In Lake County, wind speeds on Wednesday night are expected to be in the 20s, with gusts close to 40 miles per hour, particularly on the Northshore.
A flood watch means means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. Areas of particular concern are those with recent fire burn scars, such as the areas impacted by the Mendocino Complex.
Lakeport Public Works Director Doug Grider said at the Lakeport City Council’s Tuesday night meeting that he sent out an email to council and staff regarding concerns for severe weather. He said the forecast has called for as much as 7 inches of rain in 24 hours plus heavy winds.
Those winds raise concerns for downed trees and power lines at a time when the ground already is saturated from earlier storms that arrived this week.
While Clear Lake’s level is down – it’s been on the rise but is still well below 3 feet Rumsey, and a full lake is 7.56 feet Rumsey – Grider said there could be localized flooding.
“We're in really good shape but everyone should just be prepared,” Grider said.
He also reported that water barriers are mobilized and ready to be deployed for city facilities of necessary.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen also reported that he and his staff have been working with Grider and Public Works to be prepared for the heavy storm coming in.
The forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain through Thursday. In Lake County, rainfall totals on Wednesday are expected to range between 2 and 4 inches.
Forecasters also said that thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night over the Mendocino Complex and the Camp wildfire burn scar areas, leading to the potential for debris flows.
There also is a chance of heavy mountain snows above the 5,000 foot elevation level, according to the forecast.
During the heaviest rainy periods, nighttime temperatures will rise into the 40s, dropping into the high 30s later in the week. Daytime temperatures will hover in the low to mid 50s, the forecast said.
The storm system is anticipated to clear out on Friday morning, although chances of rain remain throughout the weekend, with sunny skies forecast for Monday – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – and Tuesday.
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Heavy rain expected in winter storm set to arrive Wednesday
- Elizabeth Larson
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