Christmas Morning Lightning, Thunder, Hail In North Bay; Flood Advisory In East Bay; Excessive Avalanche Warning In Sierra – CBS San Francisco
SANTA ROSA (CBS SF) – A storm front filled with cold, unstable air rolled into the San Francisco Bay Area on Christmas morning, bringing lightning, thunder and hail to the Santa Rosa neighborhoods and further soaking the hills already saturated from the December storms was.
The brunt of the storm front was supposed to roll through the San Francisco Bay Area early Christmas afternoon, but heavy rains set in much earlier.
Organized rain with the occasional thunderstorm now moving over the heart of the bay. When this line passes, expect gusty winds, a short climb in rain, and even some hail. #cawx @KPIXtv pic.twitter.com/aVDnSivqmf
– Darren Peck (@WeatherAnchor) December 25, 2021
Lightning, thunder and hail were reported in the Santa Rosa area while a heavy downpour soaked Alameda around 8:30 a.m.
There were confirmed reports of heavy rains mixed with hail in Marin County.
Now it alternates between heavy rain and hail in Inverness! @NWSBayArea @RobMayeda pic.twitter.com/ceTsX2mAsO
– The West Marin Feed (@WestMarinFeed) December 25, 2021
The National Weather Service’s office in the Bay Area also reported gusty winds, particularly at higher elevations in the East and North Bay. Weather officials warned that the combination of wind and saturated soil could topple some trees.
We see some stronger gusts of wind at the front this morning, especially over the higher elevation of the North and East Bay. Given these gusts in combination with the saturated soil, trees can fall over today. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/rPLxpx8iCQ
– NWS Bay Area (@NWSBayArea) December 25, 2021
Problems arose in the morning hours.
San Mateo officials reported that trees down the street on Crystal Springs Rd between Donner Ave. and Cunningham Way blocked.
The California Highway Patrol reported flooding on San Clemente Dr. in Corte Madera, Highway 80 near Red Top Road. in Solano County and on the Bodega Highway in Sonoma County.
The weather service has issued a flood warning for the districts of Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara at least until 10:45 a.m.
“The Doppler radar showed heavy rain moving across the East Bay, with additional showers likely to affect the area,” the weather service said. “This will lead to flooding in cities and small streams.”
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the Lake Tahoe area that extends through Tuesday.
“Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet, except 3 to 5 feet over 7,000 feet,” warned the Reno Meteorological Service. “Gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour. Gusts of more than 100 miles per hour can occur on the ridges of the Sierra. “
Another dose of blinding blizzards and strong winds created a scenario ripe for avalanches.
“A high avalanche danger is expected in the mountains by Monday morning,” said NWS forecasters. “Heavy snowfall and extremely strong winds have led to unstable avalanche conditions in the mountains. Large natural avalanches and man-made avalanches are expected. “
This is a developing story. Details will be added as information becomes available.
