Wet, windy weather headed to the region
01.01.2006, 02:00
A series of storms is headed for Northern California, where they're likely to bring high winds and several inches of rain.
"There will be downed trees, flooded roadways and possible power outages along the coast," said Steve Anderson, a forecaster at the National Weather Service in Monterey.
A warm front now off the coast should hit somewhere north of San Francisco this afternoon or evening, bringing 2 inches to 5 inches of rain through Tuesday.
Winds will be 25 miles an hour, gusting to gale forces of 40 or 50 mph.
The Weather Service has issued a high wind watch for today and Monday in the Bay Area, advising mariners to stay ashore and residents to put away outdoor furniture and tie down loose objects.
After a brief respite, subsequent storm fronts are expected to arrive Tuesday and late Wednesday, continuing to soak the Bay Area.
"If you're going to the mountains, the rain here will be heavy snow up there," Anderson said. "Traveling in the mountains will be very difficult."
Forecasters don't expect the storms to bring the kind of severe flooding and overflowing rivers seen on New Year's Day, Anderson said.
But the Solano County Office of Emergency Services has warned of possible flooding in the Delta area, urging residents to take steps to protect their homes and property.
"Do not wait until the rain begins," the agency said in a written statement.
Paul Harper, manager of the Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District, said workers have begun patrolling the levee system, and will continue to do so through at least Monday.
"We are on alert all the time when there's high water," he said. "And any time there's a high water condition along with a storm, we watch that."