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The train of storms has just started. Storm number one will end through the evening hours across California as it moves into southern Nevada, Utah and Arizona. But there are additional storms coming pushed along by a greater than 200 mph jet stream in the Pacific.
So far the storms have been right on with the timing and intensity I thought from early last week. Breaks in the storms will occur but be short lived, generally about 12 to 18 hours apart for the intense parts of each storm. Storm number two spreads across the state of California Tuesday, especially from midday through the afternoon interior central and in southern California. This moves away tomorrow night while crossing Arizona and southern Utah tomorrow night into Wednesday morning. Storm number three arrives Wednesday, spreading from west to east and south morning through afternoon then diminishing in the evening, also moving into Arizona Wednesday night and Thursday morning. This will be an even more intense storm than the first two. The last storm aims more at southern California for Thursday but still brings rain into central and northern California. The heaviest rain will be in the southern third of the state. Arizona will see the brunt of this storm Thursday night into Friday morning.
With each storm not only will there be heavy rain for a time but also a few thunderstorms and strong and gusty winds. Winds will be strongest in the mountains of the Sierra and southern California, but still be strong in lower elevations. The strongest winds are likely to be Wednesday with widespread winds in lower elevations of 20 to 40 mph with local gusts to 60 possible. In the mountains expect winds over 70 mph.
Rainfall amounts I talked about last Friday on my post still stand as do snowfall accumulations. Instead of repeating myself just click the appropriate story to the right of this column.
Already widespread 1 to 3 inch rains have been reported up and down California with a few places getting close to 4 inches. This storm is the weaker of the bunch too.
No matter how you look at it this will be a week to remember in the Southwest. I am not just talking about California either. Arizona will certainly get a lot of precipitation, both rain and snow. Even New Mexico will share in some it. Not since the January-February period of 2005 have we seen such a pattern.
With this pattern will come the good with the bad. Needed rain and snow fall is the good news. The bad is too much of a good thing too quick. There are going to be a lot of problems across California and Arizona with regards to flooding. Around any burn area devastating mudslides and debris flows arent possible they are likely. Problems will become more widespread as the week goes on as the cumulative effects mount. The rain soaked earth will make it all that much easier for winds to topple trees. This not only will cause damage but also may cut electricity. The huge snowfall in the mountains could put a stress on buildings roofs. I pointed out last week in a posting about how to get ready for this week and the problems you could encounter. It is never too late to start making plans if you live in a flood prone area.
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