LAKE COUNTY — Residents can expect inclement weather starting today, including rain and possible blizzard conditions in the northern tip of Lake County.
A blizzard warning is in effect for the northern part of Lake County from midnight Thursday through 4 p.m. Saturday, according to a Wednesday afternoon advisory from the National Weather Service. A forecast map shows the county”s north coast and Mendocino National Forest area under the blizzard advisory and the rest of Lake County under a high wind advisory.
According to the NWS blizzard advisory posted at www.wrh.noaa.gov, “A blizzard warning means severe weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to white-out conditions, making travel extremely dangerous.”
With a 90 percent chance of rain predicted Friday for Lakeport, Lake County Office of Emergency Services coordinator Sgt. Christopher Rivera warned drivers to be careful. “There is an extreme wet weather forecast starting this Friday ? a good possibility of up to eight inches of rain,” Rivera wrote in an e-mail to the Record-Bee.
“Do not drive through water that is overflowing from creeks, rivers or such,” Rivera said. “Do not drive through standing water. Be careful and watchful for flash flooding.” Rivera warned drivers to carry extra provisions and emergency equipment, and homeowners to check generators now.
An 80 percent chance of rain is expected in Lakeport Thursday, going up to 90 percent Friday and leveling with “showers likely” through Sunday, according to an NWS forecast for Lakeport.
Meanwhile, a series of storms is expected to hit the interior of Northern California late Thursday through Sunday, according to the NWS. Snowfall ranging from two to four feet is expected over the southern Cascades in that time frame. It is likely to accumulate at a rate of several inches per hour through the warning period, according to the NWS. Wind is predicted to reach speeds in excess of 75 to 85 miles per hour in addition to the heavy snowfall.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
