Powerful Storm Expected Tonight

A powerful Pacific storm is expected to move onshore late tonight, bringing substantial rain and snowfall and the possibility of flooding and mudslides through Monday, forecasters said.

The front is expected to bring heavy rainfall Sunday, with up to 2 inches forecast for county coastal areas. More substantial rain is expected Monday, with scattered showers expected to continue through Wednesday.

Up to 3 feet of snow is forecast for elevations above 6,000 feet on Sunday, with 2 feet expected to fall at elevations down to 4,500 feet through Tuesday.

Flooding of streets and streams is very likely, forecasters said. River levels are also expected to rise Monday, as new snowfall runs off from mountains.

The steady string of storms that hit the county in January and February has pushed rainfall totals to their seventh-highest level since the late 19th century, said Curt Kaplan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.