“Pineapple Express” Storm Barreling Towards NorCal, Igniting Flood Concerns
Just two weeks into February, Northern California has seen its fair share of precipitation. This month alone, some mountain areas have seen upwards of 20 feet of snow, burying many ski resorts and forcing them to close.
Just 24 hours after the end of the last storm, a tropical “Pineapple Express” storm is heading towards NorCal, leaving many officials worried about potential flooding.
A Flood Watch has been issued for the great Northern California area, with the communities in the valley seeing large rises in river water and reservoirs, along with the possibility of flash floods and mudslides.
The upcoming storm is coming directly from Hawaii, making it much warmer than past storms and bringing the possibility of melting snow in the mountains. Increased water flows will have flash flood potential. While the Sierra Nevada is expected to see five more feet of snow, snow levels will start at 4,500 feet on Tuesday night and could rise all the way up to 8,000 feet on Wednesday.
Areas of NorCal could see up to 7.5 inches of rain over a 48 hour span. Combined with a high wind advisory, officials expect a rough storm with the possibility of downed trees and power lines, a perfect storm for power outages. Winds of up to 50 mph are expected on Wednesday.
Travel through the area, both in the mountains and at lower elevations, are discouraged. With snow hitting the North Coast just two days ago, the area prone to mudslides is at serious risk of flooding and road closures.
By the way, this is far from the end of the rough weather in NorCal. Following this storm, another cold storm is immediately on its back and is planning to hit the area next weekend. After that, there are only two dry days in the upcoming 10-day forecast.
Buckle up! We’re going to continue to get #FebruBURIED!