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The next in a series of early February storms, which have boosted rainfall totals across Northern California, is expected to blanket Bay Area mountains with snow overnight Monday.
A “very cold air mass” will drop snow levels in the Bay Area to about 1,500 feet Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The highest Bay Area peaks could accumulate between 6 and 9 inches of snow, and commuters who rely on Highway 17 (summit is 1,870 feet) may encounter a dusting of snow.
“There’s a good chance of having snow on the road on Highway 17,” said Steve Anderson, a meteorologist with the weather service.
Storms that soaked the Bay Area this past weekend boosted rainfall totals across the region. San Jose, which often falls victim to a rain-shadow effect courtesy of the Santa Cruz mountains, received 1.74 inches of rain during a 72-hour period ending Monday at 5:45 a.m., more than San Francisco and Oakland, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.
As of 9:15 a.m. Monday, 72-hour rainfall totals across the Bay Area include Los Gatos 4.07 inches, Kentfield 3.58, Napa 1.89, Redwood City 1.78, San Jose 1.74, San Francisco 1.51, Livermore 1.46, Palo Alto 1.19, Hayward 1.14 inches, Oakland .99 inches and Concord .94.
Rainfall totals across Northern California continue to creep closer to average for this time of year. Through Sunday at 6 p.m., rainfall totals for the water year which began Oct. 1 include Redding at 21.24 inches (109 percent of normal), Santa Rosa at 19.23 inches (90 percent), San Francisco 12.22 inches (88 percent), Oakland 9.42 inches (81 percent) and San Jose 7.42 inches (87 percent).
Monday, the statewide Sierra Nevada snow pack level — a key source of California’s summer water supply — increased to 115 percent of its historical average, up from 69 percent on New Year’s Day. And with a blizzard warning in effect through Monday at 10 p.m., that percentage is likely to increase.
“The encouraging thing is, compared to last year, we’re doing significantly better,” said Jan Null, a meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Services. “The pattern for the next week, we’re certainly not going to flip into a dry pattern. There will be a few dry days after tomorrow, but then it looks like we’re back into a wet pattern.”
At this time last year, the Sierra Nevada snowpack was just 26 percent of normal. A series of late-season storms in late February and March boosted the Sierra Nevada snowpack to 54 percent of normal on April 1, considered by state water managers to be the end of the rainy/winter season.
Through Sunday, most of the state’s major reservoirs had water levels at or above their historical averages for this time of year.
Rain showers are expected throughout the Bay Area on Monday, with a potential for isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon, according to the weather service.
Monday at 8:55 a.m., the weather service issued a flood advisory for the Carmel River in Monterey County, warning that “heavy rain overnight has resulted in rapid rises” and flooding is imminent. At 8:15 a.m., water levels on the Carmel River were at 7.59 feet; the flood stage is 8.5 feet.
Heavy rain overnight has resulted in rapid rises on the #CarmelRiver. Emergency Management officials indicate imminent flooding along the Carmel River near Robles del Rio. A Flood Advisory is in effect until 11:30 am. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Lu16xmobq7
— NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) February 4, 2019
Rain over the weekend sparked a handful of mudslides and road closures across the Bay Area. In Fremont, Niles Canyon Road was briefly closed early Monday morning because of “falling rocks and potential mudslide.” At 6:36 a.m., Fremont police reported the road was back open. But shortly after 12:30 p.m., the canyon was again closed in both directions, according to Fremont police.
A mudslide in San Mateo County has blocked both lanes of Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard), about a half mile north of Castanea Ridge Road. County officials estimate the road will be closed for one week.
Monday morning, the weather service reported that the Sierra Nevada was experiencing “heavy snowfall” with accumulation rates up to 3 inches an hour. A blizzard warning is in effect through Monday at 10 p.m.
Ski resorts across the Sierra Nevada reported snowfall totals ranging from 12 to 35 inches from Friday through Sunday. More snow is expected to fall through Tuesday, and the weather service warned that travel through the Sierra Nevada will be “nearly impossible at times.”
Monday at 10 a.m., the California Highway Patrol reported that Interstate 80 was closed from Colfax to the Nevada state line.
Staff writer George Avalos contributed to this report.