Information on Upcoming Storm for Friday through Sunday

Overview A cold storm system will drop down from the north and bring showers and possible thunderstorms to our area starting on Friday and ending on Sunday.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE

·  Moderate to High 

TIMING

·  Showers will move into the North Bay Friday and spread to the south through the overnight hours. Showers are expected to increase on Saturday.

LOCATIONS

·  Although showers may happen anywhere in our area, the majority are expected to be over Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito Counties on Saturday.

IMPACTS

*Current Watches/Warnings/Advisories:

·  No watches/warnings/advisories in effect at this time

*Impact 1 (Showers and Potential Thunderstorms) :

·  .Although rainfall amounts will generally be light, brief heavy rain and small hail is possible with any of the showers. Thunderstorms are most likely over Monterey and San Benito Counties on Saturday. Those have the potential of producing locally gusty winds. Please see the rainfall forecast for Friday night through Saturday night attached below.

*Impact 2 (Small hail):

·  Some of the thunderstorms may contain small hail which would create very slick roadways. The best potential will be over Monterey and San Benito Counties.

*Impact 3 (Slick Roads):

·  Due to recent dry weather, roads will be very slick especially during the onset of showers.

*Impact 4 (Snow):

·  Elevations over 4000 feet in Monterey and San Benito Counties could see minor snow accumulations with local amounts up to 3 inches possible..

NWS will continue to provide updates if the forecast changes.

Monitor NWS Monterey Facebook and Twitter for further updates.

County Hazard Mitigation Plan Showcased by National Association of Counties

Monterey County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and the efforts behind it are featured in a National Association of Counties (NACo) report on counties which are reducing their vulnerability to the threats of severe weather conditions.  The full report, “Severe Weather Adaptation: Coastal Resiliency County Case Studies Volume 2,”  is available on the NACo website and features Monterey County as well as Monmouth, New Jersey and Calvert County, Maryland.  

By definition, hazard mitigation is ‘any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards.’

According to NACo, in 2011, weather disasters cost the United States more than $35 billion.  The aim of the report is to share successful efforts in reducing the threats and results of weather disasters with other communities.

In the Monterey County case study article, the unique partnerships created to update the existing hazard mitigation plan are explored.  Both NACo and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) are partners in the plan process as is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

Monterey County was designated a national pilot community for incorporating data and tools available through NOAA’s ‘Digital Coast’ into its hazard mitigation planning.  ‘Digital Coast’ is a web-based platform which offers powerful tools to assist users in accessing data on coastal vulnerability, simulating projections of impacts, creating publishable visualizations and ‘snapshots’ of potential future scenarios, including risk assessments taking climate change issues such as sea level rise into consideration.

NACo became a partner in the county planning process when it was contacted by NOAA and Digital Coast for assistance in the development of the community outreach portion of the plan.  NACo has been a national supporter of Digital Coast since 2008 and was intrigued with the integration of sea level rise in a hazard mitigation plan and how communities would react to it.  NACo provided funding for community outreach efforts which were completed last year.

“The Hazard Mitigation Plan is in final draft form and has been submitted to the State of California for review,” explains Emergency Services Manager Sherrie Collins, who says the plan still has more stops along the way to final approval.  “Once the State has completed its review it will be forwarded to FEMA.  If FEMA approves, it will be sent back to us with a tentative approval pending adoption by all cities and the county.  I anticipate that we will have the plan fully adopted by the end of 2015.”

The final draft overview can be found on the Office of Emergency Services website.

Collins says the news about Monterey County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan efforts is getting around. After the case studies document came out, she was contacted by a number of climate change symposiums to speak, and will be a featured speaker at the California American Planners Association meeting in October.

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants Application Period Begins

FEMA announced the opening of the Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) application, which will close on March 6, 2015 at 5 p.m. ET. The SAFER grant program comprises of two categories: hiring of firefighters; and the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

To receive a SAFER grant award, applicants must be registered and have up-to-date information in the online System for Award Management. Registration is required of all Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program applicants and awardees.

The SAFER grant was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, response, and operational standards established by the National Fire Protection Association. More information on these standards can be found in the Funding Opportunity Announcement, which is available online, along with the technical assistance tools.

Wind Advisory in Monterey County for February 6th

 




 

 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HAS A

 WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM PST SATURDAY

 * WINDS: 
 
    SE winds from 25-35 MPH with frequent gusts to 45 MPH are forecast. The strongest winds are forecast to    occur this afternoon into tonight.

   
* IMPACTS: 


    Potential for downed trees and power lines, resulting in isolated power outages. In addition, driving                conditions will be difficult at times on the 101 in the Salinas Valley. Until rain falls, blowing dust may also      reduce visibility.


 * LOCATIONS: 



   The Northern Salinas Valley, including the City of Salinas and Highway 101 is the primary affected area.        The Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley will also be affected. Coastal areas, especially those at higher                elevations, could also see significant wind speeds.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
 

    A "Wind Advisory" means that sustained winds of at least 35 MPH are expected, with gusts of at least 45      MPH.   



    Winds this strong can bring down trees and power lines and make driving difficult. Take action to secure        loose or leightweight outdoor objects that may be easily moved by strong winds.

Storm system brings rain and wind back to the Central Coast starting Thursday

Overview A storm system will bring rain and wind back to our area. The first round of rain will start on Thursday with areas of rain expected through the weekend.

CONFIDENCE

·  High for the overall storm. Moderate for timing and location of the heaviest rain plus rainfall amounts.

TIMING

·  Starting on Thursday and continuing through the weekend.

LOCATIONS

·  The North Bay is expected to have the highest rainfall totals along with coastal ranges. 

IMPACTS

*Hazards:

·  No watches/warnings/advisories in effect at this time.

*Impact 1 (Rain) :

·  Rain will move into the North Bay on Thursday and then progress southward through our entire area by Friday morning. Rain will then continue through the weekend. Isolated amounts especially for coastal ranges will likely be even higher. Urban and small stream flooding is possible especially for North Bay Valley spots plus intersections with poor drainage. Rain will likely be heavy at times along coastal ranges.

*Impact 2 (Wind):

·  Wind will increase through the day on Thursday with gusty conditions expected late Thursday through Friday. Southwesterly winds will locally gust in excess of 40 mph. Higher elevation spots could see gusts over 60 mph.

*Impact 3 (Mairne):

·  Hazardous conditions due to gusty southwesterly winds and building seas.

*Impact 4 (Slick Roads):

·  Due to the extended period of dry weather, the first round of rain will make roads very slick which could make for much longer than normal commute times. Drive safely!

Please note, more information is in the Special Weather Statement at: http://go.usa.gov/DHCw

Monitor NWS Monterey Facebook and Twitter for further updates.