Community Corner

Snow Predicted at 1,000 Feet

Only 50-50 chance, but if you go play in the snow on Mt. Tam, share photos!

If you’re lucky this weekend, you’ll stick out your tongue and catch a snowflake.

Low-falling snow may tempt our Mediterranean-climate-loving selves to play hooky on Friday, Bay Area meteorologists are saying.

From the Santa Cruz Mountains to Mt. Tam, from Mt. St. Helena to the Mt. Diablo range, meteorologists predict snow will falling on  anything above 1,000 feet starting Thursday night.

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By Friday night, scattered precipitation could deliver snow at sea level in some spots—depending on when the really cold temperatures arrive.

“It has to be the right combination of factors, in just the right sequence,” said Jan Null meteorologist with Golden Gate Weather Service. “First, you need the cold air, then the precipitation, not just cold rain.”

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The last time just the right combination came together was Feb. 5, 1976, when a broad cold front brought snow all over the Bay Area. Before that, Jan. 15, 1962 brought less than an inch.

The heaviest precipitation arrives to the Bay Area on Thursday and is predicted to be over before very cold air arrives that would bring snow lower. The best guess is only a 50:50 chance, but you never know in the weather business.

With the right conditions, on Friday morning you could very well see Mt. Tam —at 2,400 feet—quite covered with snow, Null said. 

“The temperatures are going to be bigger story after that,” said Null. He expects a hard freeze on Saturday morning to Sunday, with lots of 20-degree readings across the bay.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for most Bay Area counties, including Marin, beginning at 10 p.m. today. The wintry conditions are expected to continue through about 10 p.m. Friday.

Areas above 1,000 feet are expected to see about an inch of snow, while elevations of about 2,500 feet might accumulate two to four inches. Spots above 2,500 feet could be covered in more than six inches of snow.

A freeze watch will also go into effect in the North Bay valleys over the weekend -- with possible record-setting cold temperatures on Sunday morning.

Residents are advised to insulate any pipes exposed to the elements, as they run the risk of bursting as the water freezes. The Marin Municipal Water Districts is also recommending that residents insulate exposed water pipes and faucets with old towels or foam pipe wrap and shut off water lines feeding into irrigation valves.

MMWD has an emergency crew ready to respond to any freeze-related customer issues, but is not expecting any freeze-related problems with the water system at this point. They are also advising residents to take precautions with frost-sensitive plants by putting tarps over them to keep them warm or using a low-wattage bulb with tropical plants.

In addition, the California Highway Patrol warned that overnight temperatures are expected to drop below freezing in Marin, potentially creating hazardous road conditions. Black ice is possible on the county's bridges and roadways, including Sausalito's Waldo Grade and Mount Tamalpais. 

Mt. Tamalpais State Park is likely to close Ridgecrest Bouelvard if snow accumulations are significant. Other public roads may be closed as well (Sky Oaks Road and Bolinas-Fairfax Road) depending on snow accumulations. 

Drivers are advised to take precautions, including by slowing down, increasing the following distance between vehicles and checking that windshield wipers are working. 

“We recommend you have a back-up plan if you go over mountains for your commute,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Anderson.

If driving conditions are hazardous, Caltrans often shuts down Hwy 17 between Santa Cruz and Silicon Valley and Highway 29 near Mt. St. Helena in northern Napa County. Ditto for Mt. Hamilton rising on the opposite range above Silicon Valley. 

Anderson just shakes his head when it comes to Sonoma County. “It's just going to be a mess Friday morning,” he said. “People will be trying to get over mountains and they won't be able to get over.”

If you do find yourselves heading to Tam, Diablo or any of the other hills, share your snow photos here, by uploading them below.

However, if you do go in search of snow, be advised MMWD is asking hikers to stay away from the Mt. Tamalpais Watershed this weekend, because it may be hazardous and roads and trails could be blocked by fallen debris. MMWD watershed staff is in the process of surveying the damage on the Mt. Tam watershed from last weekend's snowfall and has found a significant amount of debris and fallen trees above the 1,000-foot level. 

Bay City News contributed to this report.


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