MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES — From the National Weather Service, Hanford CA, at 12:45 p.m., Oct. 21, 2021.
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR THE CREEK FIRE, SQF COMPLEX, FRENCH FIRE, KNP COMPLEX AND WINDY FIRE BURN SCARS.
An intense band of precipitation will move through between late Sunday morning and Monday evening. Periods of moderate to heavy rain are expected, especially Monday morning. These could bring potential mud and debris flows over recent burn scar areas in Madera, Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties. Snow levels will be high.
Areas affected include Mariposa, Madera Lower Sierra, Fresno, Tulare, Lower Sierra, South End of the Lower Sierra San Joaquin River Canyon, Upper San Joaquin River, Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge, Grant Grove Area, Sequoia NP, South End of the Upper Sierra, Including the cities of Bass Lake, Coarsegold, Fish Camp, Oakhurst, North Fork, Auberry, Camp Nelson, Devils Postpile, Florence Lake, Lake Thomas Edison, Lake Wishon, Huntington Lake, Shaver Lake, Grant Grove, Hume Lake, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, and Johnsondale.
From Sunday morning through Monday evening flash flooding is possible over and near recently burned areas including the Creek Fire burn area the SQF Complex burn area, the French Fire burn area, the KNP Complex burn area and the Windy Fire burn area. Mudslides and debris flows are also possible over and near recently burned areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS: A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY EVENING ABOVE 8000 FEET
Heavy snow possible above 8000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 18 to 36 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Elevations above 8000 feet in the Sierra Nevada. From Sunday morning through Monday evening. Travel could be very difficult to impossible.
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
