Update from Kate - Rain and High Tides Back for the Holiday Weekend: Here's What to Do!

Update from Kate

 

Unsettled Weather and High Tides Expected

For the President's Day Holiday Weekend

 

 

Just when you think we've had enough rain, we get another weather report confirming more. Yes, the rain continues and high tides along with it. Please be advised that flooding may occur in low lying areas like at the Manzanita intersection and the Park & Ride in Tam Junction as well as the other usual places.

 

Here's the latest National Weather Service forecast synopsis:

 

Unsettled weather will continue through the weekend for the San Francisco Bay Area as reinforcing shots of colder air drop south from the Pacific Northwest. This will result in on/off rain showers through much of the weekend with snow showers in the higher elevations. While these showers will bring more measurable rain to the area, precipitation amounts are not expected to bring additional rises to mainstem rivers in the Bay Area. A large and long period west to northwest swell will bring high surf to the coast through at least Saturday.

 

Check Tides For Times When High Water is Predicted 

 

Tides are predicted to rise above 6 feet MLLW over the next six days. Here are the predicted high and low tides at the San Francisco gage:

 

Please bookmark the NOAA tide information site here so that you may know when to try and avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding.

 

Know Roadway Conditions Before You Go

 

Be advised that Caltrans, which owns and maintains Shoreline Highway/Route 1, has several ways to check conditions on roadways before you go. Here is a link to check the Manzanita area of Tam Valley. In addition, there is a camera view of this area available. You may access it here.

 

In addition, Caltrans maintains a webpage where you can report flooding and an inoperable traffic light, should it occur over the holiday weekend. Calling 911 to report a traffic light malfunction is advised and, at the same time, you may wish to request traffic control by the helpful officers of the California Highway Patrol. Residents in southern Marin are the eyes and ears of the community and your action, especially on evenings and weekends when government offices are closed, is valued and appreciated.

 

By noting and storing all of these weather and traffic sites on your home computer or mobile device, you can plan your trip and possibly avoid flooding and delays. I am in conversation with Caltrans officials and our state legislators but a fix, both near term and longer, is not immediately available.

 

Stay safe while driving and remember to slow down. Rain slicked roads are slippery and earth movement in these saturated conditions is occurring. Thank you for your care and vigilance. Have a good holiday weekend. As always, you may reach me at ksears@marincounty.org.