Storms/heavy snow/rain battering California (warm, precipitation, seasons, inches)

[wavehunter007]

Those of you who are familiar with the seasonal synoptic migrations know that December/January can be a stormy time in California, as the jet sporadically plunges into the lower latitudes. There was some debate back in the fall that the El Nino was too weak and it would just be the typical winter storms on the California coast, now I’m not sure; Right on cue as we get set to start December, a series of powerful storms is lining up from the Pacific Ocean and will roll onshore in the West Coast through the weekend with rain and heavy snow.

In the Santa Cruz Mountains, the mountains in the North Bay region, and the foothills east of the Sacramento Valley/San Joaquin Valley….1 to 2 feet for snow will fall in the coming day. In some areas, a foot or more of rain could fall, loosening debris on hillsides and potentially washing away portions of roads and bridges. Winds along the coast could gust to 100 mph. This storm is massive even for the location:




VIDEO: Big Storms for West Coast

[nei]

up to 11 inches of rain is predicted in Northern California for one week. This plume of moisture from the subtropical jet is called an atmospheric river or a "pineapple express".

One in the 1860s:

Weather Extremes : California's Superstorm: The USGS ARkstorm Report and the Great Flood of 1862 | Weather Underground

Cold air made inflows as well, then.

[wavehunter007]

Originally Posted by nei

up to 11 inches of rain is predicted in Northern California for one week. This plume of moisture from the subtropical jet is called an atmospheric river or a "pineapple express".

One in the 1860s:

Weather Extremes : California's Superstorm: The USGS ARkstorm Report and the Great Flood of 1862 | Weather Underground

Cold air made inflows as well, then.

Back in college I was greatly intrested in "jets" per sa, and the Pineapple Express was fun to read about. Just as you say, it's really only the local name give to the winter subtropical jet, but it also moves with the seasons. From what I understand of it, while this time of year it's often found well south of 32 - 34 north latitude, in spring/fall it can swing north all the way to the PNW (48 north). It also is responsible for big (and warm) waves in southern CA from what I've read.

They should see some heavy snow anyway in the foothills up and down the West Coast from this.

[nei]

Some storm totals so far:

http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc3.html

Heaviest rain total is 17" in Petrolia, on the North Coast of California. 45" of snow on Mt. Rose ski bowl. Petrolia is a few miles inland with hills facing the ocean, leading to increased precipitation: