Where Are You?

Hi,

My husband and I watch Channel 7 every morning while we get ready for work.  We really enjoy watching you and your interaction with Kristen Sze and Eric Tomas.  We haven't seen you this week and no one said anything about you being gone.  I am afraid you have moved to another channel or city.   Are you still with 7?

Deborah Duvall

 

Good Morning Miss Deborah,

Thank you for the kind words and making my day.  I'm glad to know you enjoy our show.  I know Kristen and Eric appreciate it also.  I'll be sure to tell them.

We had a death in the family.  I was out of town for a few days. 

I'm back now and will see you first thing in the morning tomorrow. 

Take care, 

Mike

More Rain Needed....

January has been very kind to our water supply.  Measurable rain fell on 11 days so far this month.

I know many of you are tired of the rain and we are even hearing about how some restrictions may be lifted, but statistically, we need more.  

The closely timed series of storms has lead to good runoff into our reservoirs.  This much rain spread over a longer duration wouldn't have accomplished such a feat.

Our rainfall year runs from July 1st to June 30th of the following year.  The rainfall totals you see in the graphic above are from July 1st to yesterday.  As of yesterday's date, we are running ahead of schedule everywhere except Santa Rosa.  Even with this current surplus, the last column shows how much this is compared to the entire year.  

We need the rest of our months up to June 30th to be average for today's surplus to last.  For us to "make up" for the 3-year drought, we need more than average for these months.

Tornado Watch vs Warning...more

Hi Mike,

 

I was there yesterday during the weather events.

 

Here is a link to the warning:

 

Tornado Warning

 

And TV news was repeating it ... (I found out about it when a family

member called and told me to run for cover!).

 

Based on the definition, and the "capable of producing" wording in the

announcement (vs. Doppler is showing a rotation and a developing

tornado...), it sounds like it should have been a Watch ....

 

Thanks,

Scott

Hi Scott,

I understand what you are saying. 

 

However, not every thunderstorm is capable of producing a tornado.  That is what made this one unique enough for a tornado warning.

 

Mike

 

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning

When I lived in Minnesota for a few years, reminders were sent out that a Tornado Watch meant that conditions were ripe for tornado information in the watch area, and that a Tornado Warning meant that there had been a tornado spotted and you had better take cover quickly.  It seems that Wednesday afternoon's Tornado Warning was improperly classified and that the media was using the Watch and Warning terms interchangeably.  How are the terms supposed to be used in California?

 

Thanks,

 

Scott Sherratt

 

 

Good Morning Scott,

 

The classification has not changed.  It is universal across the US.

 

Glad you asked.  Good time for a review.

 

The Storm Prediction Center issues a TORNADO WATCH when conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorm development with the possibility of tornadoes.  Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions.  Generally, these are issued for a large area and last several hours.

 

Your local National Weather Service office issues a TORNADO WARNING when one has been spotted or Doppler radar shows one developing within a strong thunderstorm.  You need to take cover immediately.  Generally, these are issued for a local area and last 30 to 45 minutes.

    

Where did you hear this improper classification?  

 

Mike

Perfect Pet - Friday, January 15th

Little Miss LaLa

LaLa is a wonderful adult Boston Terrier, full of zip and vigor!  She’d love an active home where she can work on her muscles…she’s quite the athletic girl!  She likes the company of other dogs her size, and is learning to appreciate the larger dogs in life.   Watch out around this one, because you might end up with a terrier in your lap, and a face full of kisses! 

You can visit Miss LaLa at the San Francisco SPCA

2600 16^th Street

San Francisco, CA  94103-4213

Call 415.522.3564

Storm #2 Update

Storm #2 pounded the Bay Area during the morning commute today.  Winds were the big story.  At one time PG&E reported nearly 50,000 people without power.  Downed trees and debris also blocked a few roads.  Some of our cities recorded wind speeds faster than the threshold for a severe thunderstorm and even a hurricane.  Small hail, ¼ inch, also feel in San Rafael.

 

Between 4 AM and 6 AM we were averaging a lightning strike every 30 seconds.

 

Right now, Live Doppler 7 HD shows a fairly quite sky with just a few scattered light showers.  More thunderstorms are developing over the ocean.  These will reach our beaches between 2 and 3 pm with another batch this evening.  They will briefly drop locally heavy rain and gusty winds.  Small hail is possible also. 

 

Storm #3 arrives during the later parts of tomorrow’s morning commute.  Expect more of the same.

Storm #1 Update

The widespread rain is over for now.  Scattered showers will continue through 7 PM.  A shower or two could gain enough strength to become a thunderstorm with small hail and locally faster winds. 

 

Winds outside the storms can still gust to 45 mph over land and up to 60 mph over the ocean and coast.  Slower winds arrive after 7 PM.

 

 
More weather systems are on the way for Tuesday – Friday.

 

Sierra Snow Question About Next Week's Storms

Mr Nicco, I am a skier who does not do well in poor light. Your Tahoe forecast for next week is snow showers everyday. My experience is that this comes about in 2 major ways.

1. Overcast with occasional snow, or 2. Squalls providing a mix os sunshine and brief snows; a condition I enjoy Do you have any insight as to which condition will prevail at Tahoe next week? Will Booth San Jose

Hi Will,

Good observation. This series of storms will keep Tahoe overcast with a steady snowfall, heavy and windy at times, from Sunday afternoon through Friday. Snow totals will reach near 10 feet. Hope this helps. Good luck and hope you don't get stuck there. On second thought... Mike

Tahoe Weekend Forecast

The same series of storms will dump huge amounts of snow heavy wet snow, 10 - 12 feet, on the Sierra.  No need to worry about the snow pack for awhile after next week.

The snow begins tomorrow and gains strength through the weekend.  Getting to Tahoe today and tomorrow will be much easier than trying to get home after the holiday weekend.  At the least, you will need chains starting Sunday evening.

Wet Weather Begins Tomorrow

An active jet stream promises to bring wet weather to our neighborhoods tomorrow through next Friday.  Seven different storm systems will crash the Bay Area.  Each storm will bring moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds. A few embedded thunderstorms are possible also. 

Localized Flash Flooding from the stronger downpours is possible.  As the week unfolds, saturated ground may lead to an Urban and Small Stream Advisory.

The graphic below is our best estimate of the potential production and impacts from these storms.

Flash Flood:   A rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event (e.g., intense rainfall, dam failure, ice jam). However, the actual time threshold may vary in different parts of the country. Ongoing flooding can intensify to flash flooding in cases where intense rainfall results in a rapid surge of rising flood waters.

Urban and Small Stream Advisory:  This advisory alerts the public to flooding which is generally only an inconvenience (not life-threatening) to those living in the affected area. Issued when heavy rain will cause flooding of streets and low-lying places in urban areas. Also used if small rural or urban streams are expected to reach or exceed bank-full. Some damage to homes or roads could occur.