- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Forecasters issue new flood watch, wind advisory as another atmospheric river arrives
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service said the flood watch had been issued for southern Mendocino and Lake counties from 10 p.m. through Thursday afternoon due to the incoming heavy rain that arrived overnight.
During the flood watch time period, forecasters said 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain is likely across the area with up to 4 inches possible on the windward side of the highest ridges.
“With already saturated ground, such rates will increase the risk of localized urban and small stream flooding, especially around Clear Lake itself,” the National Weather Service reported.
On Wednesday, forecasters also issued a wind advisory that will be in effect from noon on Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday for southern Lake County.
Southwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, are expected, based on the forecast.
The National Weather Services said its models suggest a break in the rain on Friday and Saturday, with another round of rain expected to begin on Sunday and continuing into early next week.
The Lake County forecast calls for rain through Friday morning, with temperatures in the low 50s during the day and low 30s at night.
From Friday night through Saturday night, conditions are expected to clear, with similar temperatures in effect, before chances of rain return on Sunday night.
Monday through Tuesday, partly cloudy and mostly sunny conditions are forecast, with a slight chance of rain again on Wednesday.
Clear Lake’s level hovered just under 8 feet Rumsey — the special measure for the lake — on Wednesday night.
Over the weekend, the lake had topped 8 feet Rumsey for 24 hours, which required boaters within a quarter-mile of shore to slow to idle speed.
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