LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A powerful Pacific storm is forecast to bring not just heavy rain but high winds to Lake County and much of Northern California this week.
The National Weather Service issued the high wind warning, which is in effect from 4 p.m. Monday to 4 a.m. Tuesday.
The agency explained that a high wind warning means a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring, with sustained wind speeds of at least 40 miles per hour.
The forecast says south to west wind gusts of 50 to 65 miles per hour are possible, with the potential for higher gusts over exposed ridges.
The forecast anticipates that the strongest winds will occur Monday evening through early Tuesday morning as the storm system pushes through.
As anticipated, heavy rain coupled with wind gusts moved over the county overnight. Up to an inch and a half of rain is forecasted for Lake County on Monday.
The rain is forecast to continue on Tuesday, when the National Weather Service said there also are chances of thunderstorms.
The latest forecast for Lake County expects a break in the rain on Wednesday, before rain returns and continues through the weekend.
The elevation of Clear Lake – which is at flood stage at 9 feet Rumsey and above – fluctuated on Sunday and into Monday, hitting the 10 foot Rumsey level at 12:45 a.m. before backing off to 9.87 feet Rumsey less than an hour later, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The survey also reported that the Cache Creek Dam continued its high-volume releases early Monday, with 4,320 feet per second being let out of the dam at around 1:30 a.m.
Regarding area roadways, New Long Valley Road east of Clearlake Oaks is set to fully close at 9 a.m. Monday to facilitate a temporary bridge installation. County officials said the road should reopen by Tuesday evening.
Caltrans’ map of the region showed that traffic control had been lifted on Highway 20 to Williams, as had closures on Highway 16.
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Forecasters issue high wind warning; Clear Lake hovers close to 10 feet Rumsey
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On