Weather Alert in California

Recent Locations: Merced, CA  

Winter Weather Advisory issued February 17 at 3:23AM PST until February 18 at 4:00PM PST by NWS San Francisco CA

AREAS AFFECTED: Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest; Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Park

DESCRIPTION: ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON... Cold air will continue to move into the region today through Wednesday afternoon with accumulating snowfall expected across areas above 3000 feet in the Santa Lucia range and the mountains of San Benito and eastern Santa Clara Counties. Total snow accumulations range from 4 to 10 inches with the highest peaks reaching accumulations of 15 to 25 inches. If planning travel to the higher elevations of the Central Coast and eastern Santa Clara County, allow extra time to reach your destination safely. * WHAT...Accumulating snow for elevations above 3000 feet. Elevations below 3000 feet will see no accumulating snow to 3 inches. Above 3000 feet total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches and the highest peaks 15 to 25 inches. * WHERE...Elevations above 3000 feet for the Santa Lucia Mountains and the mountains of San Benito county. * WHEN...Until 4 PM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Slick, snow-covered roads and hiking trails. Hikers, campers, outdoor enthusiasts may encounter dangerous winter conditions above the snow level. Heavier snow showers could produce limited visibilities. Downed trees and power outages possible. * ADDITIONAL IMPACTS...Wind gusts 40 to 50 mph above 2000 feet. The combination of wind and snow will reduce visibilities.

INSTRUCTION: N/A

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Weather Topic: What is Precipitation?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Precipitation

Precipitation Next Topic: Rain

Precipitation can refer to many different forms of water that may fall from clouds. Precipitation occurs after a cloud has become saturated to the point where its water particles are more dense than the air below the cloud.

In most cases, precipitation will reach the ground, but it is not uncommon for precipitation to evaporate before it reaches the earth's surface. When precipitation evaporates before it contacts the ground it is called Virga. Graupel, hail, sleet, rain, drizzle, and snow are forms of precipitation, but fog and mist are not considered precipitation because the water vapor which constitutes them isn't dense enough to fall to the ground.

Next Topic: Rain

Weather Topic: What are Shelf Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Shelf Clouds

Shelf Clouds Next Topic: Sleet

A shelf cloud is similar to a wall cloud, but forms at the front of a storm cloud, instead of at the rear, where wall clouds form.

A shelf cloud is caused by a series of events set into motion by the advancing storm; first, cool air settles along the ground where precipitation has just fallen. As the cool air is brought in, the warmer air is displaced, and rises above it, because it is less dense. When the warmer air reaches the bottom of the storm cloud, it begins to cool again, and the resulting condensation is a visible shelf cloud.

Next Topic: Sleet

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