LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A storm that moved in from the Pacific brought the first day of rain and wind in some time to Lake County on Friday.
The National Weather Service said the tropical moisture plume is feeding two waves of precipitation and gusty winds that are moving over Northern California from Friday through Monday.
Forecasters said the first system, which arrived on Friday, will continue through Saturday night, with the second, slightly weaker system expected to start impacting Northern California on Sunday morning.
The system over the state on Friday is slower moving, which forecasters said will mean that the stronger winds coming with it are expected to last longer than normal.
Those stronger winds are forecast to lessen and strengthen again through Friday night as bands of energy move through the region.
Rainfall totals from the storm coming in from around Lake County just before 2:30 p.m. Friday showed totals ranging between 0.95 of an inch at Indian Valley Reservoir, 0.98 of an inch near High Glade Lookout above Upper Lake and the same amount at Cache Creek, 1.85 inches near Hidden Valley Lake, 1.87 inches near Lakeport, 2.12 inches on Mt. Konocti and 2.24 inches at Whispering Pines, according to National Weather Service data.
On Friday afternoon, the city of Lakeport reported that there was only localized flooding on Lange Street in front of the schools, with drivers advised to use caution in the area and not to drive around any barricades.
By 2:30 p.m. no road closures had been reported in Clearlake or Lakeport.
At that time, the city of Lakeport issued an update reporting that decreasing precipitation volumes resulted in a stabilization of creek and drainage levels.
If the rain continues at its current rate, there should be no road closures and a decrease in localized flooding, the city reported.
County road crews on Friday afternoon were working to clear debris on an area of Soda Bay Road between Riviera Heights and Buckingham.
Earlier in the day, Lake County Public Works had to clear several downed trees that had temporarily closed Bottle Rock Road between Harrington Flat and Highway 29.
The National Weather Service on Friday issued a wind advisory and a flood watch for Lake County, with a special weather statement for the area also remaining in effect due the storm, expected to continue through the weekend.
The flood watch is active until 4 a.m. Saturday, while the wind advisory remains in effect until 7 a.m. Saturday.
Rainfall totals around most of Lake County are expected to range between 4 to 7 inches, and up to 10 inches in the northern part of the county, according to the updated forecast.
The National Weather Service said the rain is expected to taper off on Saturday, however more heavy rain is expected throughout the day and night Sunday.
Snow levels across Northern California are predicted to be above 7,000 feet, with significant snowfall expected in the higher elevations.
As for winds, forecasters predicted winds ranging between 20 and 30 miles per hour in much of Lake County, with gusts as high as 50 to 70 miles per hour over the county's ridges. Winds are expected to be strongest in the late afternoon and evening.
Clear Lake's level already is benefiting from the first day of the storm.
US Geological Survey records showed that just before 2:30 p.m. Friday the lake's level had risen to 3.03 feet Rumsey from 2.90 feet Rumsey on Thursday.
Lake County News will continue to post updates as new information becomes available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Strong storm expected to continue; some localized flooding reported
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On