'Atmospheric river' could drop as much as 4 inches of rain in five days
"Leave the leaves" is correct for our gardens, but not for our gutters. This leaf-packed gutter is a potential contributor to street flooding once the rain begins this week. Kathy Morrison
“Bomb cyclone”: that ominous phrase definitely grabs a gardener’s attention. So does another: “atmospheric river.”
Sacramento can expect to get a taste of both this week, according to the National Weather Service, as an unstable weather system sweeps over Northern California.
“Bomb cyclone” sounds like it should be an exploding tornado, but it refers to a weather phenomenon: bombogenesis. Meteorologists use that term when atmospheric pressure drops 24 millibars or more in less than 24 hours. It’s a sure sign of a rapidly developing and intense storm system.
Sitting off the Oregon coast, this strong, low-pressure storm system is pulling a plume of moisture across the Pacific into Northern California and southwest Oregon, says the weather service. That’s the atmospheric river – a long, continuous chain of rain. Think of it as a river in the sky – with all the water falling in its path.
This atmospheric river – the first of our rainy season – is expected to deliver at least three days of stormy weather. Starting Wednesday, rainy conditions will stretch through Friday and possibly Saturday and Sunday, too.
How much rain? Some areas such as Eureka and Humboldt County could see up to 12 inches – as well as flooding and mudslides. The Sacramento Valley is expected to receive 2 to 6 inches; the farther north, the wetter.
Downtown Sacramento’s forecast calls for 3 to 4 inches, spread over five days, says the weather service. The heaviest rain is expected Friday morning. Because we’ve had so little rain so far, this deluge will mostly soak into the ground. Creeks will fill but not flood.
This is also a cold storm; snow levels in the Sierra are expected to drop to as low as 3,500 feet on Wednesday morning. Sierra ski resorts are expecting 10 to 20 inches of fresh snow – just in time for Thanksgiving skiers.
Before the rain really hits, make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves and other debris. Avoid piling leaves in the street or blocking storm drains. Watch out for falling limbs or leaning trees.
Definitely shut off the sprinklers and other irrigation. This storm will deliver plenty of moisture.
This deep soaking will refresh plants’ moisture reserves as well as soften soil. Be patient; if you have something to transplant, wait until next week.
For weather updates: https://www.weather.gov/sto/
Comments
0 comments have been posted.Sacramento Digs Gardening to your inbox.
Thanks to Our Sponsor!
Local News
Sites We Like
Garden Checklist for week of Dec. 8
Make the most of dry weather while we have it this week. Rain is returning.
* Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters. Recycle those leaves as mulch or add to compost.
* It’s not too late to plant something. Seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Trees and shrubs can be planted now, especially bare-root varieties such as fruit trees or rose bushes. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from winter rains.
* Plant bare-root berries, kiwifruit, grapes, artichokes, horseradish and rhubarb.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Brighten the holidays with winter bloomers such as poinsettias, amaryllis, calendulas, Iceland poppies, pansies and primroses.
* Keep poinsettias in a sunny, warm location; bring them inside at night or if there’s rain.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while they’re dormant.
* Clean and sharpen garden tools before storing for the winter.
* Mulch, water and cover tender plants to protect them during threat of frost. Succulent plants are at particular risk if temperatures drop below freezing. Make sure to remove coverings during the day.
* Rake and remove dead leaves and stems from dormant perennials.
Powered by California Local
