Fast-moving storm will bring wind, rain and thunderstorms this
week but no flooding
Gilroy – Keep those umbrellas handy and the sunglasses tucked away because this week should be filled with rain, more rain and even some thunderstorms.
A series of storms heading toward the South Bay will bring periods of heavy rain, according to the National Weather Service. Today, expect thunderstorms and a partly cloudy night with a chance of showers, Thursday should also be cloudy, with a chance of rain in the evening, according to the National Weather Service.
The rain is expected to return Friday and stick around until New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Day may be rainy and should be partly cloudy. Daytime temperatures should remain in the 60s throughout the week, with nighttime lows dropping to the mid-40s.
Although it will be wet and windy, flooding isn’t expected. The recent rains haven’t caused flooding anywhere in Santa Clara County.
“We’re in pretty good shape for the storm coming in (Tuesday night),” said Mike Di Marco, spokesman for the Santa Clara Valley Water District. “We think that we won’t see any reservoir spilling.”
Gilroy’s creeks have receded during the past couple of rain-free days and aren’t near the flooding point, said Di Marco.
“We don’t anticipate any problems but it is a fast-moving storm,” said Di Marco. “Just in case there are any problems we’re gong to have our crews ready.”
The storm should bring strong winds and rain to the Tahoe area, except at the highest mountain elevations above 8,000 feet. The storm has prompted a winter storm watch for the Tahoe Basin and the western valleys will be under a high wind watch.
The snow level is expected to gradually drop to lake level today with winds blowing between 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching 55 mph. In the valleys, the snow level was forecast to fall gradually to 5,000 feet tonight, accompanied by winds of 20 to 35 mph gusting to 55 mph.
On Tuesday, the avalanche danger in the Sierra was considered to be at steep elevations above 9,300 feet in areas outside developed ski areas.
