California

Storm Brings Rain, Wind and Even Hail to Some Parts of the Bay Area

A wind advisory was issued across the Bay Area Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, but the winds are not expected to be as strong as they were Saturday morning

A powerful storm descended on California Saturday, threatening flooding in the entire San Francisco Bay Area and areas stripped bare by devastating wildfires.

The storm brought hail in some parts of the Bay Area and winds reached 80 mph in the mountains, 10-foot waves in the Pacific and several feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada and other mountain ranges.

A wind advisory was issued across the Bay Area Saturday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the National Weather Service, high tide is receding and areas of coastal flooding will diminish. 

Heavy downpour came overnight but there was no major flooding on Russian, Napa or Guadalupe Rivers. However, smaller creeks and streams could fill up with more rain, according to NBC Bay Area meteorologist Jeff Ranieri. 

Scattered thunderstorms were seen in the morning but a small break came around noon Saturday.

The storm caused several road accidents and power outages in parts of the Bay Area. 

On Sunday, another storm will bring on and off rain, which could bring an additional quarter-inch to half-inch, as well as chances of thunderstorms, Ranieri said.

In the Sierra Mountains, a winter storm warning started on Friday with heavier snow expected Sunday, according to Ranieri. The area may see 1 to 3 feet of snow, but areas above 7,000 feet could see up to 5 feet.

Wind gusts of 40 to 70 mph are expected at times, which could result in avalanche and blizzard warnings.

The Bay Area will also have the chance of a snow dusting on Monday as well with snow levels 2,000 to 2,500 feet, Ranieri said.

Evacuations were ordered or recommended for many areas of Northern and Southern California that were hit by wildfires in recent months. Authorities fear that an inch of rain an hour could send fire debris, mud and boulders sluicing down denuded hillsides.

The weather service issued flash-flood watches for areas burned by the Mendocino Complex, Camp and Carr wildfires in Northern California.

The state transportation agency has closed a key Southern California highway because of flooding after a powerful storm dropped more than a half-inch of rain in five minutes.

Caltrans says several miles of U.S 101 is shut Saturday in Santa Barbara County because of water and mud in lanes. The highway is a vital route between Los Angeles and parts north and west.

The weather service issued flash-flood watches for areas burned by the Mendocino Complex, Camp and Carr wildfires in Northern California.

In the Holy Jim fire area southeast of Los Angeles, where an August wildfire scoured tens of thousands of acres in the Cleveland National Forest, volunteers using heavy equipment removed debris and deepened a creek bed to help prevent flooding.

Santa Barbara County ordered evacuations of residents in designated debris-flow risk areas near the Thomas, Whittier and Sherpa fire scars. Nearby residents were urged to also consider leaving.

It has only been a little over a year since a downpour on the huge Thomas Fire burn scar unleashed a massive debris flow that destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes in the seaside community of Montecito.

The disaster killed 21 people, and two others have never been found.

Numerous areas of the state were under warnings for high winds, some that could potentially knock down trees and power lines.

Two cold weather systems will follow on Sunday and Monday, bringing additional widespread showers and snow, forecasters said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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