Update on California storm 2-25-04 7 PM PST

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good evening folks. A busy day weatherwise with a potent Pacific storm plowing into the west coast of the United States. Taking a look at the analysis tonight shows a 984 mb low off the Oregon coast. Earlier today, the pressure with this storm was 977 mb. Meanwhile, the cold front is situated near the coast of central California tonight. A strong low level jet continues to punch in ahead of the front. What's even more amazing is the fact this storm has a subtropical connection or what's known as the pineapple express. As a result of this, very heavy precipitation is continuing tonight for southern and central California.

Currently there are numerous problems associated with this storm system from heavy rains in the lower elevations to heavy snow in the higher elevations. 1.92 inches of rain fell today in the city of San Francisco, a new record for the date. SFO received 1.03" of rain while San Jose received 1.01" of rain today. There was also 1.48" reported at last check in San Barbara. All of these rain totals were issued at 8 PM EST tonight.
In addition to precipitation, there is also a threat for gale force winds and coastal flooding along the coast of California tonight. Finally there were peak wind gusts of 45 mph in San Francisco today, 52 mph in Oakland, and 61 mph in Sacramento, California. Some of the ridges over the Sierra Nevada have received winds gusts of nearly 80 mph. Brookings, Oregon had a 78 mph wind gust today. A very dangerous storm and it continues tonight.

Breaking it down first along the coastal sections where high waves and gale force winds continue tonight. For northern California near Eureka, expect coastal waves of 16 feet bulding to 31 feet overnight tonight. Some waves could be up to 35 feet offshore beyond 60 nautical miles off the northern California coast. Further down the coast, the waves are expected to be even higher with seas of 20-35 feet overnight tonight. A few BREAKERS could reach heights of 40-50 feet overnight. But that will be an isolated occurrance for the central California coast. As a result, coastal flood threat is higher near the central California coast than anywhere else in the state. A coastal flood warning is in effect tonight and Thursday for the California coast from Sonoma County south through Monterey County. A high tide of four 1/2 to five 1/2 feet will occur overnight tonight into Thursday morning. While this swell will not coincide with the highest astronomical tides of the month, such a large swell and wave action will definitely result in coastal flooding problems in the form of spillover of water onto coastal roads and property. Coastal erosion is also a good possibility. Areas most susceptible to coastal flooding in the past includes Stinson beach and Bolinas on the Marin County coast, Aptos, Twin Lakes Beach to Pleasure Point, and Capitola on the Santa Cruz County Coast. In addition areas from Point Pinos to Lovers Point in Pacific Grove on the Monterrey County Coast are also susceptible as well as the Carmel River Lagoon in Monterrey County.

A coastal flood warning means coastal flooding is expected to occur. People in the warning area need to take action and protect beach property and seek higher ground if the situation warrant doing just that.

Further south along the coast, seas of 20-25 feet will be common along the southern California coast. Coastal erosion and heavy dangrous surf will occur along the southern California coast. In addition southern California is seeing the heaviest rain and snow tonight. Santa Barbara has seen 1.48" so far and heavy rain will continue for several more hours yet for the Sanata Barbara area as well as the LA Basin and San Diego. Flood watches are up for the entire southern California coast including the burned areas of Simi Valley, San Bernardino County Mountains, and San Diego County Mountains. A high risk of flooding and deadly mudslides persists in the burned areas tonight and will continue into Thursday as well. Rainfall amounts of 2-4" is expected for LA and San Diego and 4-8" expected for the burned areas as well as the coastal areas near Santa Barbara. Above 7000 feet in southern California, expect heavy snow amounts of 2-4 feet. This situation is great for the water tables across southern California. Unfortunately fo the burned areas, we will likely flood and see mudslides tonight into Thursday.

More additional updates will be given on this storm as more information becomes available. Be safe in these areas tonight through Thursday. This is a dangerous storm!!!

Jim

[weatherlover427]

Just thought I'd add in my $0.02 on what I'm seeing.

It's been raining moderately for almost seven hours now. Rain has been heavy at times and is causing roof leaks, ponding of water on roads; and small mud flows in the burn areas. Winds here at my apartment are gusting 20-25 MPH with the strongest gusts so far around 30 MPH at best guess I'd say.

[JCT777]

Great update, Jim. Thanks!

[tropicana]

RECORD RAINFALL REPORTS for FEB 25 2004

Santa Barbara CA 3.34in
Redding CA 2.13in
Red Bluff CA 1.82in
Sacramento Airport CA 1.67in
San Francisco CA 1.46in
Sacramento City CA 1.31in
Reno NV 1.12in
Paso Robles CA 1.18in
Yakima WA 0.44in



OTHER RAINFALL RECORDS FEB 25 2004

Mobile AL 4.41in * caused by a strong thunderstorm with hail Wednesday evening.
Naples FL 2.56in
Ft Myers FL 2.55in
Miami FL 1.78in
West Palm Beach FL 1.53in
* Strong thunderstorms swept though South Florida Wednesday afternoon, with a possible tornado touching down in Aventura. 61mph wind gust was recorded at Opa-Locka Airport at 1:36pm ET.

-justin-