Newsletter: Water and Power: California’s winter storms arrive

Your guide to the California drought from the Los Angeles Times.

NEWS AND POLICY

Road closure: Part of the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine was shut down Monday morning when wind and snow decreased visibility. Snow there followed a powerful storm Sunday that brought winds of up to 70 mph. Boaters were also urged to stay out of the water, where high surf produced strong rip currents and beach erosion.

Snow levels: Officials plan to measure the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada on Tuesday. January is believed to have been the best month for snow since 2011. “We’ve not had a snowpack for the last four years, anything worth writing home about, so this is obviously very significant for this time of year,” said meteorologist Michelle Mead. The snowpack is especially important as it provides about 30% of the water in California.

The 5 Freeway in the Grapevine near Gorman reopened Monday after decreased visibility from wind and snow had forced a closure.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

ON THE GROUND

Dangerous conditions: The coastal town of Pacifica is living on the edge, literally, thanks to the El Niño storm system. Powerful waves have been intensifying erosion along the bluffs. “I worry about it all the time. It’s been rumbling at night. A real loud rumbling that keeps you up,” said Pam Raymond. So far, officials have condemned one apartment building and two homes.

Rain totals: How much rain has Southern California had so far this year? About 41% of a normal winter’s accumulation. “The whole purpose of this was to try to come up with a single number that really is capturing how wet, or dry, the region really is,” said David Pierce of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

OFFBEAT

Hiking trail: It’s time to hit the trails and check out these 10 waterfalls that look spectacular thanks to El Niño rains. All are within about an hour’s drive of Los Angeles.

BIG IDEAS

“There aren’t other crops at this point that are really looking all that much more appealing than almonds are, even with the decrease in price,”
– Daniel Bays, a third-generation almond grower in Patterson and Westley, Calif.

DROUGHT SNAPSHOT

DAILY TIP

With snow falling around the state, now is a good time to revisit safety tips on how to drive through California’s winter weather:

— Check your tires to ensure they are properly inflated

— Remember to carry chains

— Bring food, water and warm clothes

— Slow down

LOOKING AHEAD

Tuesday: The Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners will meet.

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.