"It Never Rains in California?" Look what we're in for this weekend:

Major Late Winter Sstorm Takes Aim at Southern California

A large...cold area of low pressure will be developing over the pacific northwest this weekend. A strong polar jet stream will develop over the east pacific as the storm deepens...sending cold and unstable air into southern california beginning on friday... and continuing through sunday night.

Showery weather is expected to develop thursday night or friday as the first in a series of impulses races southeast ahead of the storm. Precipitation is not expected to be heavy...but snow levels could fall as low as 3500 feet...with strong winds in the mountains. A wind advisory has been posted for mountain and high desert areas through friday morning. A second...stronger disturbance will approach the area on friday night and move through on saturday. This could be accompanied by heavier rain...snow and thunderstorms...with snow levels falling locally to 2000 feet in the heavier convective showers...and strong winds in the mountains. The precipitation should linger into sunday as cold...moist...and unstable air continues to flow in from the west.

Current indications are that significant snows will fall in area mountains over the weekend and spill into the high deserts as well. A winter storm watch has been issued for late friday morning through saturday night for the mountains and high deserts. Periods of heavy snow and strong and gusty winds may create blizzard conditions at times. Over a foot of snow is likely at higher elevations by sunday morning. The combination of cold...snow...and wind could be deadly for unprepared hikers or campers in remote areas. Travel in the mountains will likely become extremely hazardous as well. If the storm develops as forecast...there could be periods of snow in the higher inland valleys...foothills...and high deserts...including the cajon pass and the morongo pass. For the coastal areas...numerous showers are expected with chilly days. Some of the showers could produce locally heavy downpours of rain and small hail or ice pellets. This type of system often produces isolated waterspouts as well.

Preliminary estimates are for one to two inches of rain to fall over the coast and valleys...with locally greater amounts possible on the mountain foothills. Locally heavy rain on recently burned areas could cause mud and debris flows and local flash flooding. Above 4000 feet...most of the precipitation will fall as snow.

If the storm continues to develop as forecast...further statements and weather watches will likely be issued over the next several days. Anyone planning travel over southwestern california this weekend...especially those heading to the mountains...should stay tuned to the latest forecasts on NOAA weather radio or your favorite tv or radio station.

*(Remember, this is March in California!)

 

We are keeping a close eye on this one as well, up here in Northern California.

What would normally take me 4 hour drive into the Sierra Nevadas for Snow, may become a 30 minute drive this weekend.

I am actually looking forward to some Snow up here.....

 

This weather sux . I haven't been able to wash my vehicle lately and try my Microfiber towels. And it don't look like it will happen until at least next Monday. Man the ride is starting to look dirty

Ng

 

Damn, Guys, It sucks to be you. We got rain here too, But nothing like that...

 

There hasn't been any measurable rain in Phoenix for 142 days! It has sprinked once or twice but nothing to note. The last time it rained here is Oct 13.

 

It's in the high 70's for the next 3 days and then into the low 80's for the first of next week here. That's about 20-30 degrees above normal for this time of year... but there is no such thing as global warming... must be an increase in cow flatulence.

Also, we have so little rain the last year that our lake levels are nearly 5 inches below normal and we have been on water use restrictions for over 9 months now. I'm not allowed to wash my car in my own driveway. I have to go to the car wash and use the power sprayer. I use way less water at home... some laws are stupid.

 

Hey Mike, I just got back from getting my windows tinted a little darker and you know I live in the high desert,as I am getting out of my car I noticed this huge blackness covering the sky and , oh I would say maybe 50-60 mph winds,I am a big guy and winds usually don't push me around, today I had to use my HHR for an anchor ,then I log on to chevyhhr and read this story about a nasty storm coming,well I must say that up here it is already here,we probably will get some snow,good thing is....that it melts off in one day up here.

 

I was having the same problem ,so I said aw **** it, gonna wash it anyway,then I raced to put it in my garage before it got dirty again.

 

DAMMIT Alien, give us back our weather!

 

I've lived in MI and they have water restrictions in the summer. But here in the desert, where there is no water - no such thing