Stormy in Southern California the Week of 01/18/10

Winter Storm Warning Ventura Co./Los Angeles Co. Mountains except Santa Monica Range

A very powerful west to  east Jet Stream (150-200 mph) will allow a series of powerful Winter storms and each one will bring periods of Heavy Mountain Snow/Heavy Rain & Thunderstorms to the lowlands and High Winds in areas the week starting January 18th, 2010.

1st storm-mainly Monday had some gusts in the mtns. as high as 75 mph.  The snow is not expected to affect the I-5 corridor with the first storm, it is important to note that strong winds and heavy rain will still create dangerous driving conditions.  Strong thunderstorms are likely again with hail, strong wind gusts, and isolated weak tornadoes or waterspouts on Wednesday & Thursday.  Long Beach, Huntington Beach and Santa Ana had a tornado warning as a thunderstorm cell with strong rotation moved overhead from 1 to 2 pm on the 19th.  A waterspout was sighted at 1:02 pm moving NE toward the coast at 30 miles per hour.  The TORNADO WARNING  continued until 2 pm for Anaheim(Walt Disney Land), Santa Ana, Irvine and Huntington Beach.

Another STRONG storm system will affect the forecast area Wednesday and Thursday, January 21st.  The snow level was between 6,500 & 7,000 ft. on Monday and then lowered to 5,000 ft. Monday night the 18th.  A WINTER STORM WARNING was in effect from 6 am Monday until Tuesday evening on January 19th above 6,000 ft. and included the cities of Acton, Mount Wilson, Sandberg, Lockwood Valley & Mount Pinos.  More heavy snow showers and damaging winds will be likely Wednesday afternoon and evening into Thursday and Thursday night.  2 to 4 feet of snow above 6,000 ft. is likely and the snow level on Thursday will likely drop to 4,000 ft. in places.  Don’t forget to carry chains, blankets and water/food while traveling in these conditions. Wind will likely be out of the S and SW 35 to 50 mph with Gusts to 75 mph.

Flash Flood Watch continues for the recent burn(Station & Morris Burn areas) in Southern CA. Monday’s storm brought up to 2″ of rain to the coasts and valleys and 2-5″ to the mountains where the snow level was 7,000 ft.  Tuesday’s storm had heavy rain and up to 2″ again with isolated tornadoes.  More is expected Wednesday and Thursday.

3 storms will likely bring a total of 4-8″ of rain in coastal and valley areas and 8-16″ in the foothills with local amounts over 20″ in the mountains.  This will likely be the wettest week since early 2005 for S. CA.  Mountain snow could add up to several feet per storm.  Snow level lowers to between 5,000 and 6,000 ft. for storm 2 (Tuesday) and 3 (Wednesday-Thursday).

A HIGH Surf Advisory starts at 6am Tuesday to 3 am Friday for large groups of swell that will start arriving at the beaches by Tuesday morning.  Dangerous Rip Currents will form and moderate to extensive beach erosion is likely with minor coastal flooding and possible damage to some piers.   1st group will be a long period 15 sec. west swell @ 10 ft.  2nd group will be 17 sec. 15 ft. and 3rd group will have maximum sets to 22 ft. on Thursday. The 4th and largest will be a 17 sec. foot west swell with max sets to 25 ft. on Friday.  Even the most experienced swimmers should stay out of the water during this extreme weather event.