Pineapple Express batters California

[marmar]

(CNN) -- The Pineapple Express is in full swing on the West Coast Monday morning after a weekend of incredible rain, snowfall, and wind. Mammoth Lakes, California has received 108 inches of snow since Friday evening, which is exactly nine feet of snow, and more is on the way. The mountain is expected to see at least a foot of snow per day over the next three days. Rainfall totals exceed 12 inches in central California, including 13.74 inches of rain in Three Peaks, which is about 70 miles north of San Francisco.

The extreme precipitation is being caused by a surge of moisture from the central Pacific that meteorologists coin the "Pineapple Express" because it originates around Hawaii. The rain, snow, and wind is expected to continue for the West Coast and southern California, in particular, for the next few days. Rainfall totals are expected to top 10 inches in southern California over the next 48 hours, and much of this will be in recent burn areas that are most prone to flash flooding and mudslides.

The train of moisture continues northeastward through the Rockies -- Areas around Salt Lake City will see another 20 or more inches of snow in the next 48 hours. And further north in the Rockies and northern Great Plains, winter storm watches and warnings have been posted where the moisture plume will meet frigid, arctic air. Snow accumulations could top 12 inches in some locations. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.kaj18.com/news/pineapple-express-brings-snow-rain-to-the-west/

[xxqqqzme]

1. I'm at the beach in SoCal

The rain stopped for about 3 1/2 hours this morning. It has started again. I'm don't really mind the ran because we get so little. It's just when we get all at once that causes the chaos.

The wind yesterday was fierce though.

[Hepburn]

20. PV area....

...and I am watching for Noah's Arc! :hi:

[HopeHoops]

2. That was a pretty funny movie. I wouldn't have watched it except that my daughter's boyfriend....

brought it up on a visit and said it was pretty much an updated version of Cheech & Chong. That's basically true, except for all of the automatic weapons and explosions.

[kestrel91316]

3. It started in July with an unprecedented rainstorm - I had to BORROW AN UMBRELLA, lol.

Then more in September (just a little), then more in October (turning into a weird trend) and then a very cold and mostly rainy November. Now December has got us practically underwater. Rain and rain and rain and rain and more frickin' rain.

Ok, I know we need it. But a little sun would be nice. We have already had more rainy days this year, more cloudiness and cold, than we normally see in ten autumns put together.

[Trajan]

4. I was going to drive down from Portland to LA

Hmmm ... Might get dicey .... The last thing I need is to get stuck somewhere ...

Playin it by ear ....

[pinboy3niner]

5. Ironic, isn't it?

:)

[Trajan]

6. Considering Portland's reputation for rain ...

It can get dicey all along the trip route, though .... It gets snowy on the 5 south route ...

I may stick to 101 for a good portion ... It's a pleasure trip, so I can enjoy the stark ocean views on the way ... But it can rain hard on the northwestern coast too ... mud and rock slides are possible anywhere on the route, as is local flooding, if the ground gets saturated enough.

[pinboy3niner]

9. Check for updates on road conditions here:

http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi

http://www.highwayconditions.com/ca.htm

Good luck, and have a safe trip!

[SoCalDem]

17. Plan your route CAREFULLY and

bring survival gear..just in case..

[mitchtv]

7. we had rain out here in the Palm Springs area

a rarity.It set the utility pole on fire and got us evacuated at midnight for a few hours without electicity . Luckily because of the rain the Palms didn't catch. floods all over this AM

[PBS Poll-435]

8. Wish I was in Tahoe right now

Sipping cocoa and watching the weather.

[Xicano]

10. Shot a little video on the way to my union hall a few hours ago.

I know a lot of rain is no big deal to you non Californians. But here's what San Pedro has looked like for the last fews days with little to no let up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dRoddaUvYE

[SoCalDem]

18. slow down.,.yer scaring me

:rofl:

[Xicano]

22. Looks like the video makes it look faster than it is.

I normally drive slightly quicker than the flow of traffic. Old motorcycle habit to make you more visible to other drivers. But pretty much the flow of traffic..

:)

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. I was going to say the same thing LOL. n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. It's been raining like crazy

[Xicano]

12. Cats out side have been meowing like crazy too.

I've tried to offer them to come in from outside, but they're feral and won't do it. All I can do it put out a couple of boxes with blankets and some food & water. Poor things...

[SoCalDem]

19. If you have a clean trash can, put it up on bricks/blocks on its side

and stuff it with an old comforter.. That will keep them warm & dry(er)

[Xicano]

23. I put out two plastic storage boxes on my porch which is raised off the ground three steps high.

plus has an overhang. I also put some soft old blankets inside for them. I can hear the little kittens meowing, but if I open my door they'll take off running. So I'll just let them relax for the night. Glad to know they're in out of the rain. Poor little kitties. I've always had a big spot in my heart for animals.


Peace,
Xicano

[Codeine]

13. The streets in Fontana are so flooded

I was tempted to strap some pontoons to my Toyota just to get out of the city and get home.

[cherokeeprogressive]

25. It's rained up here for 36 solid hours.

Trees have been falling in Bear Valley all day. The 18 is closed from Running Springs to the Big Bear Dam due to slides. There are car sized boulders on the 38 between Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls.

It's crazy!

But I love it!

[Xicano]

26. Not cold enough yet for snow?

Its been several years since I've been to Snow Summit. That road is dangerous in places without weather, I can imagine what it must be like with all that debris.

Stay safe cherokeeprogressive.


Peace,
Xicano

[pinboy3niner]

14. Flash Flood Watch issued for areas of L.A. County for 5:47-8:47 PM, PST

Per Emergency Broadcast System. They reported an inch of rain in the preceding hour. The Antelope, San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys are three areas singled out for flash flood danger.

[Motown_Johnny]

15. the local news says it will be here for Christmas Eve (Michigan)

not looking forward to it

[marmar]

16. And it won't be rain when it falls here in the Great Lakes

nt

[SoCalDem]

21. are you dreaming of a White Christmas yet?

:rofl:

[Cleita]

27. It finally stopped raining for awhile here on the central coast.

It rained non-stop for three days and there was some white stuff on my pine tree that is melting and could be snow even though I'm only a few miles from the beach. I didn't want to go out and check it out for sure. It was just too wet. It's been very cold. Weird.

[hayu_lol]

28. Son and friends(2 car convoy)went to LA on business last...

Thursday and got there ok. Headed back here(Klamath Falls OR)at 11 this morning. They have all the weather advisories and figure on a good trip north on I-5. Here in Klamath, has been snowing for about the last 3 days.

Their big worry will start in the Shasta area with snow and ice. They leave I-5 to go north on hwy 97, about 100 miles from Klamath. He expected to get here shortly after midnight.

Anyone have any local conditions for Shasta, Weed area?

[Cleita]

30. That's way north of me, but it's closer to

Oregon in weather than the coast so there could be snow in higher elevations. They need to start monitoring the weather once they get past Redding.

[Trajan]

32. Here are links to road cams in the area ...

http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist2/travelmap.htm

http://tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=7


Looks kinda hairy out there ... Do they have a cellphone ? ... definitely call it ...


I am trying to decide what day to attempt a southbound trip .... and I am pretty sure I am going to avoid the 5 .... While it is shorter in miles, it makes up for that in bad weather.

You know ? ... looking at the cams in the area, there are a few spots for concern, but much of the roadway should be above freezing and clear of ice and snow .... That being said, there are still some spots near Shasta and Weed that might present a problem .... If they dont have chains the CHP will stop them from continuing ... If they do have chains, then they should be safe using them ...

[comtec]

29. that explains the snow here in minnesota

as odd as it sounds (im from SF so screw LA LOL) i think i prefer it here right now.
after all snow piles up and usually melts slowly....
rain is just water...

and the bay area can be very unpleasant with heavy rain.

either way, bein unemployed, poor is poor.

[theophilus]

31. Didn't I just read an article here that states that this moisture originates in Asia and that

this is NOT the Pineapple Express? Anybody else? Who is right?

Yeah, here it is:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pineapple-expre...

Well, this seems to have been wiped. The original LBN gave quotes that said this is not the Pineapple Express. Very weird

I guess this was it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x39613

Anybody got this LA times article saved?