LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Forecasters said an atmospheric river headed toward the North Coast is expected to bring high winds and heavy rainfall to Lake County this week, with the peak to hit on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said the “impactful atmospheric river event” will bring moderate to heavy rainfall beginning late Tuesday night and continuing through Thursday, with more showers possible into Friday.
Over that time frame, the agency said rainfall totals will range from 2 to 4 inches with some localized totals of up to 7 inches possible over the south-facing terrain.
The specific Lake County forecast expects most of the rain to occur on Wednesday, with between four and five inches throughout the course of the day, with higher rainfall totals expected on the Northshore.
That heavy rainfall is forecast to cause a rapid rise in creeks, rivers and streams. Around the region, areas such as Eel River at Fernbridge, Navarro River at Navarro and Russian River at
Hopland could exceed the flood stage by Thursday, the National Weather Service reported.
The rain in recent weeks has caused a significant rise in Clear Lake, which on Sunday night was at 5.33 feet Rumsey, the special measure for Clear Lake, up from 3.01 feet Rumsey on Jan. 1.
For comparison, Clear Lake’s level on Jan. 28 of the previous five years was as follows, based on United States Geological Survey gauge records:
• 2019: 4.52 feet Rumsey.
• 2020: 4.41 feet Rumsey.
• 2021: 0.83 feet Rumsey.
• 2022: 0.53 feet Rumsey.
• 2023: 4.32 feet Rumsey.
Regarding temperature, conditions are expected to get colder, as more normal temperatures will return midweek, following the arrival of a cold front. Daytime temperatures will drop into the high 40s and nighttime temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s.
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Atmospheric river expected to hit with heavy rain midweek
- Elizabeth Larson
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